A British barrister’s “horrific” and violent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for decades, according to the conclusion of a damning report.
John Smyth QC is believed to be the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church of England, a long-awaited independent review found.

Smyth QC, who died aged 77 in Cape Town in 2018, was accused of attacking boys at his Winchester home who he had met at a Christian summer camp in Dorset during the 1970s and 1980s.

On publication of the findings, the Archbishop of Canterbury apologised again to victims, and said Smyth’s abuse had “manipulated Christian truth to justify his evil acts”.

Smyth had also worked as a barrister representing morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse whilst he ran the camps for young evangelical Christians.

Reports of his physical abuse of boys were revealed in an investigation by Channel 4 News, in February 2017.
The investigation came after a report by the Iwerne Trust in 1982, which was not made public until 2016.
Smyth was confronted about his conduct after the report compiled by Rev Mark Ruston and Rev David Fletcher. Read more»

Jonathan Fletcher, who, from 1982 to 2012, was the Minister of Emmanuel Proprietary Chapel, Ridgway, in the diocese of Southwark, was subject to an “examination of the facts” hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court from 5 to 11 May.

Mr Fletcher, who is aged 83, had been judged not fit to enter a plea, nor to stand trial. He faced one charge of Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, and eight counts of indecent assault of an adult male, representing at least 16 separate allegations.

The grievous bodily harm charge was dropped ahead of the examination of the facts by the jury, which found that Mr Fletcher had committed the remaining acts over a period of more than 20 years.

“In these circumstances, the only suitable outcome that the judge could impose was an absolute discharge for each count,” the diocese of Southwark said in a statement. “However, Her Honour Judge Plaschkes KC was clear that it is important for victims of sexual abuse to be heard and that the jury had considered the evidence and concluded that Mr Fletcher had indecently assaulted the victim without their consent.” Read more»

—TOM MCARTHUR, “Church Covered Up ‘Abhorrent’ Abuse, Report Finds,” BBC (November 7, 2024) and JAMES MACINTYRE, “‘Examination of Facts’ Hearing Finds Jonathan Fletcher Indecently Assaulted Man,” Church Times (May 11, 2026).

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