Victim calls Archbishop of York’s response to abuse case ‘insulting’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The anonymous woman questioned the “moral compass” of Stephen Cottrell, the Church of England’s second most senior bishop, saying the Church “deserves better”. Mr Cottrell, who will become the Church’s most senior figure when Justin Welby steps down as Archbishop of Canterbury in January following criticism of his own handling of an abuse case, said he was “deeply sorry” that action was not taken earlier. “I would have had more respect for him if he just said after that BBC report last week ‘look, I’m really sorry, I’m really sorry I got this wrong’ and I don’t believe he did enough.” The woman said her grandmother “lost her faith” because of what happened and “never stepped foot inside a church again”. I really worry that someone who doesn’t have that is waiting in the wings to step in as the figurehead for the Church of England, and I think the Church deserves better.” Asked if Mr Cottrell should step down, she added: “I think he really must now, it’s got beyond apologies and sadly I wouldn’t have said that a week ago, but I’m saying that now.” The Archbishop said it was “not possible” to remove Tudor from office until fresh complaints were made against him in 2019.