The Bishop of Blackburn has called for urgent reform of the way clergy are vetted, in the wake of scandal surrounding Blackburn Canon Andrew Hindley.

Rev Philip North said the Church of England is “hidebound by heavy legal structures and processes, many of which are not fit for purpose.”

Andrew Hindley worked in the Diocese of Blackburn from 1991 to 2021. A BBC investigation found that he had been assessed as a potential risk to children and young people by the NSPCC, and had been subject to five police investigations, including into allegations of sexual assault.  

He did not leave his post until 2022, when it's believed he was offered a payment in the region of £240,000. The amount was part of a civil law settlement, however, the Church of England said the exact amount was subject to a non-disclosure agreement.

Canon Hindley argues his case was a move to drive him from the church, rooted processes “hijacked” by “homophobia”.

Bishop Philip said he was “alarmed” to discover that whilst he could conduct a risk assessment for a priest, he would be powerless to act on the findings.

 “There must be learning from this case, and that learning must result in change,” he said, “without real change, any apology is empty and hypocritical."

"Along with colleagues, I will be seeking ways to explore and advance these goals.

"Unless there is change, the suffering of victims and survivors of this and other cases will continue."