New C of E archbishop accused over handling of 2019 abuse complaint

The Church of England is reviewing a complaint against the incoming archbishop of Canterbury over her handling of an abuse allegation.

- Matthew Weaver

Dame Sarah Mullally is due to take up the role next month, after Justin Welby was forced to resign over the way he dealt with a safeguarding scandal.

Mullally has been has been accused of mishandling a complaint against a priest in London, where she serves as bishop.

The alleged victim, referred to only as N, said the abuse started in 2014 and was reported to the Diocese of London. Mullally became Bishop of London in 2018.

N claimed that after he made a formal complaint about the abuse in 2019, Mullally breached a church disciplinary code by sending a confidential email about the allegations to the priest concerned, according to Premier Christian News, which first reported the claims.

N told the news site that the Diocese of London's and Mullally's handling of the complaint had left him feeling suicidal.

The Diocese of London said proper processes had been followed and that there was no outstanding complaint against Mullally.