THE DIOCESE of Manchester has become the first to launch an independent investigation of its clergy files in search of unresolved cases of abuse.

The Church of England has been criticised over its former leniency towards a priest and a choir director found guilty of child abuse. In response, the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, has appointed an independent lawyer to spend eight weeks examining the 850 clergy files held by his office.

The Bishop said on Wednesday: “Using our strict child-protection procedures, I am instructing a review of clergy files so that we can be confident that there are no child-protection issues outstanding.”