Welby must go, says niece of Bishop Bell

THE only surviving relative of Bishop George Bell has called for the Archbishop of Canterbury to resign.

Barbara Whitley, 93, says she was left feeling “very shaky” when the Carlile review into the Church’s handling of sex abuse allegations against her uncle was published last week. She added she was “determined” to clear his name before her death.

In his report, Lord Carlile found the Church was wrong to name the former Bishop of Chichester and added that he had been “hung out to dry” by leaders focused on protecting the Church.

Justin Welby was in post when the Church apologised for Bell’s alleged abuse in 2015. He said later that he apologised only “for the failures of the process” and while regarded as a hero for his work against Nazism, the bishop was “accused of great wickedness”.

Asked if the Archbishop should resign, Mrs Whitley said: “Yes.” Bell, who died in 1958, was accused of historical sex abuse. The Church’s acceptance of the allegations was implicit in their apology and compensation.

Lord Carlile said in his report that a case against the bishop would have been unlikely to succeed in court.