THE man who led the inquiry into Jimmy Savile’s abuse of patients at Leeds General Infirmary, Ray Galloway, has been commissioned by the C of E’s National Safeguarding Team to look into how a clerical serial abuser escaped justice for so long.

Graham Gregory, who died in prison in 2019, was jailed in 2015 for assaulting a young girl in Wandsworth during his years there as a curate. He was convicted again in 2018 for assaults on three victims on the Isle of Man, committed during his time as Vicar of St Ninian’s, Douglas, between 1975 and 1990. The youngest of his victims was eight, the oldest 13.

During the course of his ministry, Gregory served in Southwark, Chichester, Sodor & Man, and Southwell & Nottingham dioceses. He retired to York in 1995, where he held permission to officiate until 2009. He was not convicted until he was aged 78.

As part of the new inquiry, each of the dioceses in which he served has produced its own review of record-keeping, risk management, and response to allegations. All the known survivors have been invited to contribute in any way they wish.

Mr Galloway is examining these reviews, and will produce a national independent review based on these assessments. This will be published in full.

A statement by the National Safeguarding Team said: “The review is to allow the Church to take steps to enhance and improve its response to allegations of abuse and, thereby, to ensure a safer environment for all. It will consider both good practice and failings in safeguarding practices in respect of Graham Gregory, and the appropriateness of responses by Church bodies to allegations and concerns raised across each diocese in which he held any post.”

Mr Galloway added: “It is vital the Church learns from how it handled allegations against Gregory. I know it has been a really important part of the process that survivors have informed the make-up of the independent review, with full support from the dioceses involved.”