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Jersey criticism of Dakin

20 December 2013

DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER

Challenged: Bishop Tim Dakin 

Challenged: Bishop Tim Dakin 

POLITICIANS in Jersey have called for the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Timothy Dakin, to publish a review of the handling of a safeguarding complaint on the island.

Bishop Dakin commissioned Dame Heather Steel, a High Court judge, to conduct the review in May (News, 17 May) after the publication of a review by Jan Korris, which was critical of the handling by the Dean of Jersey, the Very Revd Robert Key (News, 15 March) of the complaint, from a vulnerable adult.

Bishop Dakin confirmed on 22 November, that he would not be taking disciplinary action against any member of the clergy, but said that, after receiving legal representations from an interested party, and acting on legal advice, he would not be releasing Dame Heather's report.

Last month, Dean Key said that he wanted the report to be published: "The Church of England is committed to transparency, and I look forward to receiving a copy of the Steel report."

The minister for external relations in Jersey, Sir Philip Bailhache, said last month that he was "appalled by the Bishop of Winchester's expressed intention to suppress its publication on what appear to be very specious grounds. . . The Dean and the clergy are entitled to the publication of the complete Steel report so that their reputations can be fully restored in the eyes of the public."

Bishop Dakin said last month that the bishops would take a "fresh perspective" on safeguarding, and would meet local church leaders and Island authorities, "in order to help understand how the current situation may be progressed".

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