Ian Hislop has spoken out about his meeting with Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, following Welby’s resignation over his handling of the John Smyth abuse case. Hislop claims Welby showed no regret for his actions and appeared “unrepentant and unashamed.”
Welby’s Resignation and Statement
Justin Welby resigned after a report revealed his failure to act on the abuse committed by John Smyth, a notorious child abuser linked to the Church of England. The review found that Welby “could and should” have reported Smyth’s abuse to the police in 2013.
In his resignation statement, Welby expressed sorrow for the victims, saying he took “personal and institutional responsibility” for the handling of the case. He also stated that the Church of England was committed to creating a safer environment and responding to the needs of abuse survivors.
Hislop’s Account of the Meeting
However, Hislop, in a report for Private Eye, paints a very different picture. He described Welby as being “unrepentant and unashamed” when they met the day after his resignation. The encounter occurred at the Trustees’ Annual Dinner at the British Museum, where Welby approached Hislop.
When Hislop confronted Welby about his friendship with Smyth, the conversation soured. Hislop felt that Welby had not been sufficiently punished for his role in the abuse case, especially in comparison to the suffering of the boys who were abused by Smyth under the guise of Christianity.
Criticism of Welby’s Actions
Hislop’s criticism suggests that Welby’s resignation may not reflect the full accountability needed for his actions, with the editor questioning whether the Archbishop truly understood the gravity of the situation.
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