Baroness Butler-Sloss didn't reveal abuse claim against bishop because she 'cared about the Church', Times claims

 Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/Press Association Images

More pressure has been put on Baroness Butler-Sloss in a damning Times report claiming she concealed abuse allegations against a Church of England bishop.

The newspaper is claiming she kept the allegations against Bishop Peter Ball out of a review into how the Church of England dealt with two paedophile priests. 

The report is based on testimony from Phil Johnson, who was abused by priests Roy Cotton and Collin Pritchard as a choirboy in the Diocese of Chichester. 

His allegations also extended to 82-year-old Bishop Ball, the former Bishop of Lewes and Bishop of Gloucester.

Mr Johnson claims that when he spoke to Baroness Butler-Sloss about the abuse, she suggested the claims should not be made public because "the press would love a bishop" and she "cared about the Church". 

She is reported to have said she would raise the allegations with the Archbishop of Canterbury in private, but Mr Johnson says he felt "pressured" into agreeing not to make the claims against the bishop public.  

Lady Butler-Sloss was appointed this week to head an inquiry into Westminster abuse but there have been calls for home secretary Theresa May to replace her because of her close ties to the establishment.  

Labour MP Simon Danczuk has responded to The Times report with another call for the appointment to be changed: "She gives the impression that she is putting the reputation of the Church before the interests of victims. There is information coming out by the day which suggests she is unsuitable for the role. I think it is for her to reach the conclusion that perhaps she is not best placed for this role."

The Church of England and Diocese of Winchester have yet to comment on the claims.  

News
Preacher fined over Bible verse display challenges abortion clinic buffer zones
Preacher fined over Bible verse display challenges abortion clinic buffer zones

The abortion buffer zones have been branded "censorship zones".

God is the remedy for grief
God is the remedy for grief

To have loved deeply and to have been loved in return is one of life’s greatest gifts. But when that love is taken away, grief follows. And grief, in many ways, never fully leaves.

What does new school trans guidance mean for Scotland?
What does new school trans guidance mean for Scotland?

Although the draft guidance applies only to schools in England, there are ramifications for Scotland too.

Why is 1 Corinthians 13 often read at weddings?
Why is 1 Corinthians 13 often read at weddings?

St Paul wrote a timeless definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13, known as the “love chapter”, which is one of the most famous chapters in the Bible and is often read at weddings. This is the story …