Calls are growing for Church of England leaders named in the Makin Review to step down, with a former cabinet minister urging accountability in the wake of the abuse scandal.

The review revealed barrister John Smyth’s "abhorrent" abuse of over 100 children and young men, which was covered up by the denomination for years.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday Sir Gavin Williamson criticised the lack of consequences saying that "few people have been held to account" and called for those mentioned in the report to be  "cleared out of those top jobs".

The MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridg added: "What was so tragic is that there were so few senior voices being heard in the Anglican church.

"In the Makin Review it did name the Bishop of Lincoln, it named the bishop in charge of the episcopal church and actually so few people have been held to account.

"So will (Ms de Cordova) make sure that more people are properly held to account and some of the people who have been named are cleared out of those top jobs?"

Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, who represents the Church of England in Parliament as Second Church Estates Commissioner, agreed on the need for change:

"(Sir Gavin) makes a really critical point on this and that's why it's so important for the church to view this moment as the chance to really turn a corner and make this a watershed moment because we need change.

"Those responsible must be held to account."

She added: "I strongly believe that it is important that the church is held to account on that.

"The lead bishop, the Bishop of Stepney, and also the director for safeguarding both welcomed the Makin Review when it was first published last year and we have to ensure that those recommendations are implemented."

Among those named in the Making review are the Bishop of Lincoln, Rt Rev Stephen Conway, who admitted he failed to rigorously follow up on reporting Smyth’s abuse while Bishop of Ely in 2013. He has apologised for his shortcomings.

The Church’s National Safeguarding Team is investigating dozens of officials, with some already stepping back from roles, including Rev Jo Bailey Wells, a former chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This comes after Justin Welby stepped down as Archbishop earlier this month, having faced criticism for not formally reporting Smyth to police in 2013.