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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Harriet Sherwood and Matthew Weaver

Candidate for C of E panel to choose Welby successor knew about John Smyth’s abuse

Justin Welby
The report that triggered Justin Welby’s resignation says one of Smyth’s victims discussed his abuse with Cornes in 1982. Photograph: Luke MacGregor/Reuters

A retired clergyman who could be part of the selection process for the next archbishop of Canterbury knew about the sadistic abuse of boys and young men in the early 1980s but failed to take action, according to the report that triggered Justin Welby’s resignation.

One of John Smyth’s victims discussed his abuse with the Rev Andrew Cornes in September 1982, but “there is no evidence to suggest that [Cornes] took action to respond to this”, the report said.

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