05/06/2025
Following the conclusion of the work to review all clergy under the authority or oversight of the Church of England who are criticised in the Makin review, it was announced in February that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) would seek to bring disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) against 10 clergy including two bishops. In all cases, the complaint was ‘out of time’ and so the permission of the President of the Tribunals needed to be sought to initiate proceedings. The President has now considered the applications and granted permission in seven of the 10 cases. This is an independent judicial process, and the National Safeguarding Team entirely respect the decisions.
The NST will now initiate proceedings under the CDM against the following individuals:
- Bishop Paul Butler
- Revd Roger Combes
- Revd Sue Colman
- Revd Andrew Cornes
- Revd Tim Hastie-Smith
- Revd Nick Stott
- Revd John Woolmer
No further action under the CDM will be taken against the following individuals:
- Bishop George Carey
- Revd Paul Perkin
- Revd Hugh Palmer
The decision to bring CDMs was undertaken in line with the process announced in December and concluded in February with recommendations of an independent panel and reviewed by an independent barrister.
Victims and survivors and all those criticised in the Makin review have been informed and support offered. The National Safeguarding Team will make no further comment on these cases whilst the CDM proceedings are under way.
Finding support
If you or anyone you are in contact with is affected by the publication of this report and would like to talk to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk .
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team in your area or the National Safeguarding Team at [email protected].
There are also other support services available .