Colman’s mustard heir and his wife step back from church duties after being named in report over ‘heinous’ abuse scandal
A COLMAN’s mustard heir and his wife have stepped back from church duties after being named in a report over a ‘heinous’ abuse scandal.
The Makin Review found that prolific abuser John Smyth might have faced justice if Church of England officials had alerted authorities in 2013.
On Tuesday Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation over his handling of the abuse case.
Hampshire vicar Reverend Sue Colman was also aware of Smyth’s abuse before being ordained, the review found.
The report found Colman and her husband Sir Jamie visited Smyth in Africa in the 1990s and funded the Smyths through a personal trust.
The couple have now been asked to step back from all church duties at St Leonard’s Church in Oakley near Basingstoke.
Smyth, who was a lay reader and led Christian summer camps, died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018.
He was under investigation by Hampshire Police and was “never brought to justice for the abuse”, the review published last week said.
Sir Jamie was chairman of the UK Zambesi Trust, while his wife was also a trustee.
The review said: “It is likely, on the balance of probabilities, that both Jamie and Sue Colman had significant knowledge of the abuses in the UK and Africa, given their positions as trustees.”
Smyth abused around 130 boys and young men – and is thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England.
Some of his victims have called for further resignations from senior clergy members involved in the scandal.
Today the Diocese of Winchester said it has asked Colman “to step back from all ministerial duties while we reflect on the review’s findings and work with the National Safeguarding Team to take steps to manage any associated risk”.
It added: “Mr Colman has no official ministerial position in our diocese but has also been asked to step back from volunteering.”
The statement said Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester, “has made it clear that all failures in safeguarding should be treated with the utmost seriousness, whether locally or nationally, and that the response to those failures should be proportionate and appropriate”.
Smyth’s reign of terror lasted five decades in three different countries – targeting as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa.
He subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.
He died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was “never brought to justice for the abuse”, the review said.
The Telegraph newspaper reported that the Church’s National Safeguarding Team is looking into the actions of at least 30 officials named in the report.
On Tuesday Justin Welby acknowledged the review found that he had “personally failed to ensure” it was “energetically investigated”.
In a statement issued by Lambeth Palace, Mr Welby said: “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.
“The Makin Review has exposed the long-maintained conspiracy of silence about the heinous abuses of John Smyth.
“When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow.
“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024.
“It is my duty to honour my constitutional and church responsibilities.
“So exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and in the Anglican Communion.
“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.
“The last few days have renewed my long-felt and profound sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Church of England.
“For nearly 12 years I have struggled to introduce improvements. It is for others to judge what has been done.
“In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet victims.
“I will delegate all my other current responsibilities for safeguarding until the necessary risk assessment process is complete.”
Why did Justin Welby resign?
JUSTIN Welby knew Smyth because of his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s.
But the review said there was no evidence that he had “maintained any significant contact” with the barrister in later years.
The 105th Archbishop of Canterbury said he had “no idea or suspicion of this abuse” before 2013.
Over five decades between the 1970s until his death, Smyth is said to have subjected as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.
The report said Smyth “could and should have been formally reported to the police in the UK, and to authorities in South Africa (church authorities and potentially the police) by church officers, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013”.
When the Makin report was published, Mr Welby admitted he had considered resigning but decided not to after taking advice from “senior colleagues”.