Police look at bishops’ ‘failure to act’ over sex abuse claims

ENGLAND
BBC News

March 5, 2018

Police are investigating a complaint by a former priest against senior Church of England clergy that they ignored sex abuse claims, the BBC understands.

Matt Ineson said Church leaders failed to act when he told them, more than 20 years later, that he had been raped by a former Bradford vicar.

His lawyer David Greenwood said police were investigating but South Yorkshire Police would not comment.

The Church’s national safeguarding team said it was investigating complaints.

Mr Ineson said the abuse began when, following a family breakdown at the age of 16, he was sent to stay with Trevor Devamanikkam, who at the time was vicar at St Aidan’s Church.

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