Welsh Secretary slams Archbishop for ‘supporting independence’

WELSH Secretary David Davies has written a scathing letter to the Archbishop of Wales, accusing him of acting divisively by involving himself in politics and publicly supporting the campaign for Welsh independence.

In an interview on S4C’s current affairs programme Y Byd yn ei Le, Archbishop Andrew John (pictured), who is also Bishop of Bangor, said he was “in favour of independence”, in order to “solve” the country’s problems.

Talking about the Church in Wales’ campaign to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, Archbishop John said the “situation under Westminster is not sufficient”.

Making the point that it was his “completely personal” opinion, the Archbishop said he “understands the calls for independence”.

He added: “Of all the options before us, what is the option that has the best chance of solving the problems?”

The Archbishop also said the current troubles around the UK Government “are a concern”.

In November last year, Archbishop John signed an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asking him to govern with “integrity” in order to rebuild faith in democracy in Britain after the troubled leaderships of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Now, with the scandals involving former Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi and bullying allegations against Deputy PM Dominic Raab, the Archbishop said he found the UK Government’s position “worrying”, adding: “I’m sure people watching the news are asking, have we had a new beginning or not?”

In a letter to Archbishop John, which has been leaked, Mr Davies stated: “I write to you in sadness, following your decision to involve yourself in politics, and publicly air support for Welsh independence. During your recent S4C interview, you declared support for Welsh separatism because, you felt, the ‘situation we [Wales] have received from Westminster is not sufficient’ and had reached this political view because, apparently, it will ‘solve’ Wales’s outstanding issues.”

Mr Davies went on to recall concerns about earlier comments by the Bishop of St Davids, Dr Joanna Penberthy, who had tweeted: “Never never never trust a Tory”. She subsequently apologised.

Referring to Archbishop John’s support for Welsh independence, Mr Davies stated: “I was surprised by your decision to publicly air such a controversial political viewpoint because in a previous letter to one of my predecessors in the Wales Office, which related to a Welsh bishop espousing her political beliefs, you wrote: ‘...I regret the impression that has been formed that we [the Church in Wales] favour one political viewpoint over another.’

“As an Anglican myself I fear your recent interview was divisive, especially as you neglected to state that the most pressing problems facing Wales, including health – where one in five people are stuck on a waiting list – are entirely devolved matters.

“This is in addition, of course, to failing to acknowledge the historic levels of extra funding being invested into Wales by the UK Conservative government, including the most recent £1.2bn, on top of an already record financial settlement (including in real terms).

“As you will be aware the vast majority of the people of Wales are committed to staying in the UK: I am confident many Church in Wales congregations will also be surprised and disappointed by your recent comments.

“I believe that advocating a controversial political viewpoint, which is what has happened, undermines the role of the Church in public life.

“I sincerely hope leading figures in the Church in Wales, including yourself, will be more careful in future.

“I very much look forward to continuing constructive engagement with you and I am sending a copy of this letter to Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby.”

It’s not the first time Mr Davies has criticised an Archbishop of Wales. In 2009 he accused the then Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, of arrogance for chairing a group campaigning for more powers to be devolved to Wales.

Mr Davies wrote to Dr Morgan at the time: “I suppose it is symptomatic of the arrogance you have displayed throughout your utterances on this subject, such as when you inferred detractors were immoral, that you have failed to even notice how many people in Wales disagree with you.”

The Archbishop did not wish to comment.