Cleric who knew of Smyth abuse may help select Welby successor

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.

- Harriet Sherwood Matthew Weaver

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.

Cornes is among a panel of 11 members of the Church of England's ruling body, the General Synod, from whom six will be chosen to sit on the committee that appoints Welby's successor as archbishop of Canterbury.

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) will comprise 17 voting members plus three non-voting participants. The selection process is expected to take several months.

According to the report into Smyth's abuse published last week, Cornes told the victim that "he was unsurprised that Smyth had homosexual tendencies". The report says: "There is no evidence to suggest that Cornes took action to respond to this, he suggests that he thought the matter was being dealt with."