aecifo

At this point, Susanna Reid is challenged by a church abuse survivor on GMB as he blurts out “What do you want, graphic details?” »

Umito November 13, 2024

SUSANNA Reid was called out by a church abuse survivor on Good Morning Britain – after he asked her to share “graphic” details.

THE GM The presenter interviewed Richard Gittins, one of 130 boys and young men abused by John Smyth.

Susanna Reid interviewing Richard Gittins on GMB this morningCredit: ITV

Gittins is one of 130 boys and young men abused by John SmythCredit: ITV

Prolific abuser John Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018.

Yesterday Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has announced his resignation for his handling of the abuse case.

The Makin review concluded that Smyth, a prolific abuser associated with the group Church of Englandcould have been brought to justice if Mr Welby had officially alerted the authorities in 2013.

Smyth, who was a secular reader and led Christian summer camps, died at the age of 75 in Cape Town in 2018.

He was under investigation by Hampshire Police were “never brought to justice for these abuses,” according to the review published last week.

On today’s GMB show, Susanna interviewed Richard Gittins, one of Smyth’s victims.

Richard challenged her at the start of the interview – asking if she was trying to get “graphic” details about the abuse from him.

Susanna said: “Richard, whilst being completely sensitive, I just wonder if you can just remind us of the abuse that John Smyth QC inflicted on boys and young men.

“In the whole story of the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, we must not lose sight of the individual’s real crimes.

“At the heart of this case is John Smyth QC, who is dead and who will not be held accountable for what he did to you and 130 other boys and young men.”

Richard said, “Yes, so you want a graphic reminder, is that what you’re asking for?”

Susanna replied: “No, I’m asking you what you can tell us, what you are willing to tell us.”

She added: “I’m not asking you to go into graphic detail. It was shocking.”

Richard said: “It happened a long time ago. It’s shocking.”

Susanna said: “Yes, what can you tell us?”

Richard said: “Well, it happened in my second year at university and it started with a pretty mild beating, if I can say so.

“Showing myself and God that I was committed to my life as a Christian.

“But over time they turned into something serious and throughout my second year I would go to his house every week.

“I was beaten every three weeks and it probably resulted in about 200 lashes at a time.

“They were making my butt bleed and I needed diapers to keep the blood from getting on my pants. That’s how bad it got.”

Yesterday, Justin Welby admitted the review found he had “personally failed to ensure” he was “vigorously investigated”.

In a statement released by Lambeth Palace, Mr Welby said: “Having requested the kind permission of His Majesty the KingI have decided to resign as Archbishop of Canterbury.

“The Makin Review has exposed the long-existing conspiracy of silence surrounding John Smyth’s heinous abuse.

“When I was informed in 2013 and told that police had been notified, I mistakenly believed that an appropriate resolution would follow.

“It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and traumatic period between 2013 and 2024.

“It is my duty to honor my constitutional and ecclesial responsibilities.

“The exact timescales will therefore be decided once a review of the necessary obligations has been completed, including those in England and the Anglican Communion.

“I hope this decision makes clear how much the Church of England understands the need for change and our deep commitment to creating a safer Church.

“In stepping aside, I do so with sadness for all victims and survivors of abuse.

“These last few days have renewed my deep sense of shame at the historic safeguarding failures of the Anglican Church.

“For almost 12 years, I have fought to introduce improvements. It is up to others to judge what has been done.

“In the meantime, I will follow through on my commitment to meet the victims.

“I will delegate all my other current safeguarding responsibilities until the necessary risk assessment process has been completed.”

It comes after private words were exchanged between the King and the Archbishop ahead of Starmer’s statement this morning.

However, the conversation was between intermediaries and they did not speak directly or meet in person.

King Charles’s public words about Mr Welby will be made public when he officially leaves office, rather than after his resignation.

This is not a snub, but the process and the protocol.

Why did Justin Welby resign?

JUSTIN Welby knew Smyth through his attendance at Iwerne Christian camps in the 1970s.

But the study says there is no evidence he “maintained significant contact” with the lawyer in subsequent years.

The 105th Archbishop of Canterbury said he had “no idea or suspicion of these abuses” before 2013.

For more than five decades, between the 1970s and his death, Smyth would have submitted as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa suffered traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently scarring their lives.

The report said Smyth “could and should have been formally reported to the United Kingdom police and United Kingdom authorities.” South Africa (ecclesiastical authorities and potentially police) by Church officials, including a diocesan bishop and Justin Welby in 2013”.

When the Makin report was published, Mr Welby admitted he had considered resigning but decided against it after taking advice from “senior colleagues”.