Senior church minister steps back from duties after abuse scandal

A Church of England minister has been asked to step back from her duties after a review found that she was aware of child abuse by evangelical Christian John Smyth.

Rev Sue Colman is associate minister at St Leonard's Church in Oakley, Hampshire. She is the first Church leader to step back from her role since the resignation of the Most Rev Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Her husband, Sir Jamie Colman – a Colman's mustard heir – has been asked to step back from volunteering, a statement from the Diocese of Winchester said.

The statement said all failures in safeguarding "should be treated with the utmost seriousness".

It said: "The Diocese of Winchester is appalled by the findings of the Makin Review and the sheer extent of the horrific abuse perpetrated by John Smyth. It is a matter of deep regret and sorrow that John Smyth was able to have any association with our diocese while perpetrating such abhorrent abuse.

"The Diocese of Winchester has asked Rev Colman to step back from all ministerial duties while we reflect on the review's findings and work with the national safeguarding team to take steps to manage any associated risk.

"Mr Colman has no official ministerial position in our diocese but has also been asked to step back from volunteering."

Mrs Colman's profile has been removed from St Mellitus College, where she has served as a Chaplain.

The Makin Review found Mrs Colman continued to provide financial support to Smyth in Zimbabwe, despite "on the balance of probabilities" having "significant knowledge of the abuses in the UK and Africa".

Sir Jamie was also giving sermons at St Leonard's as recently as July this year.

Asked whether he would be invited back following the publication of the Makin review, the St Leonard's referred The Telegraph to the Diocese of Winchester.