Bishop calls for Justin Welby to resign over failure to pursue serial abuser

Welby said last week he had considered resigning over his ‘shameful’ decision not to act remorselessly to deal with reports of abuse by John Smyth. Photograph: Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty

A Church of England bishop has added her voice to growing calls for the archbishop of Canterbury to resign over his failure to pursue a sadistic abuser of children when allegations were brought to his attention.

Helen-Ann Hartley, the bishop of Newcastle, said Justin Welby’s position was untenable and he should quit. A line needed to be drawn, she added.