Church Appoints Lord Carlile to Review George Bell Claim

Rebekah Ison
November 23, 2016

http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2016-11-23/church-appoints-lord-carlile-to-review-george-bell-claim/

Rt. Rev. George Bell in 1954 Credit: PA

Lord Carlile of Berriew has been named as the independent reviewer into the handling of the case of the late bishop George Bell, who was accused of being a child abuser.

The review, commissioned by the Church of England's National Safeguarding Team, is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

Last year the Bishop of Chichester issued a formal apology following the settlement of a legal claim over allegations of sexual abuse by Bishop Bell, who was Bishop of Chichester from 1929 until shortly before his death in 1958.

The review will examine the processes surrounding the allegations which were first brought in 1995 to the Diocese of Chichester and again in 2013, this time to Lambeth Palace.

It will also consider the processes, including the commissioning of expert independent reports and archival and other investigations, which were used to inform the decision to settle the case.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Hancock, the Church of England's lead bishop on safeguarding, said the review will look in detail into how the Church handled the Bell case.

The Church of England takes all safeguarding issues very seriously and we will continue to listen to everyone affected in this case while we await the findings of the review.

The Diocese of Chichester continues to be in touch and offer support to the survivor known as Carol, who brought the allegations.

– PETER HANCOCK