Church of England clear-out needed following Makin Review, says ex-minister
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Church of England (CoE) leaders named in an abuse scandal report should be removed from their jobs, according to a former cabinet minister. Sir Gavin Williamson warned “so few people” have been held to account following the publication of the independent Makin Review, which said barrister John Smyth’s “abhorrent” abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the CoE for years.
Justin Welby officially quit as Archbishop of Canterbury earlier this month, having announced in November he would resign following days of pressure after the review concluded that Smyth might have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally reported the abuser to police in 2013.
Several other names were noted in the report for their failings, with Conservative MP Sir Gavin suggesting they should also face action. Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, the Church of England’s Commons representative, said the church has an “enormous amount of work to do to create a culture shift” and “those responsible must be held to account”.
The Church’s National Safeguarding Team is looking into the actions of dozens of officials who were named in the review, with some having already been asked to step back from church activities while the process is underway. Sir Gavin, the MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, told the House of Commons: “What was so tragic is that there were so few senior voices being heard in the Anglican church.
