Archbishop Of Canterbury Resigns After Abuse Report

“I hope this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church.

“As I step down I do so in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse,” he added.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he “respects the decision that has been taken and his thoughts remain first and foremost with all the victims”.

It was not immediately clear when the archbishop would leave his post but the process of finding a replacement is likely to take at least six months.

Last week, an independent report found inaction from the Church was a “missed opportunity” to bring Smyth to justice before his 2018 death.

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In his resignation statement, Mr Welby said he was “told that police had been notified” at the time and that he “believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow”.

He also spoke of his “profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures” of the Church over the days since the report was published.

“For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done,” he said.

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