The UK papers on Wednesday were dominated by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to resign amidst mounting pressure over the church’s handling of a notorious abuse scandal involving John Smyth. The Guardian reported on Justin Welby’s sorrow at the situation and his decision to step down in the best interests of the Church of England. The Daily Express and the Mirror highlighted Welby’s profound sense of shame and failure to bring a child abuser to justice, with calls for his resignation intensifying.
The Daily Mail warned that Welby could lose his seat in the House of Lords, while the Telegraph reported that other senior clergy are facing calls to resign as the sex abuse crisis deepens. The Times noted that Welby’s resignation is without precedent, attributing it to growing pressure from priests and the Bishop of Newcastle. The Independent described Smyth as the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer respecting Welby’s decision to step down.
The Sun reported that Welby resigned hours after Starmer branded the abuse scandal horrific, but also featured headlines on Gary Lineker’s job and a proposal for new Match of the Day presenters. The fallout from the abuse scandal continues to rock the Church of England, with calls for accountability and justice for victims of abuse.
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