Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has hinted that Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds should contemplate resigning due to her handling of a sexual abuse case during her tenure with the Church of England. Despite facing pressure to step down, Dodds has refused to resign over her actions related to the case. The issue stems from a 2021 report which criticised Dodds for a significant oversight in not pursuing a meeting regarding a particular sexual abuse case while in a senior management role. The matter has resurfaced following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in light of his handling of abuse by John Smyth connected to the Church of England.
Discussing the severity of the situation on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Sir Ed Davey emphasised the gravity of the issue concerning the Church of England and stressed the need for serious consideration. Despite Dodds apologising for her actions and highlighting her track record of safeguarding children, Davey urged her to contemplate her responsibility in the matter. The report found that Dodds had made a “grave error of judgement” by not arranging a meeting to address accusations against the ex-Bishop of Chester, Hubert Victor Whitsey, who was later found to have sexually abused multiple individuals.
In response to calls for her resignation, Dodds acknowledged the criticisms outlined in the report and expressed her remorse for any delays that may have impacted the victims. Following discussions with party colleagues and the Welsh Board, Dodds affirmed her decision to continue leading the Welsh Liberal Democrats. While Archbishop Welby announced his resignation, citing the Church’s best interests, after intense scrutiny post the report’s release, the focus has shifted to Dodds and her handling of the abuse case.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives remarked that Dodds appears to have lost the confidence of the UK Lib Dem leader. The spokesperson highlighted the need for Dodds to reflect on whether her actions caused harm or put individuals at risk, indicating that appropriate action should follow introspection. Dodds reiterated her commitment to child protection and expressed her determination to continue serving the people of Wales in her leadership role within the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
As the fallout from the Archbishop’s resignation continues to reverberate within the Church of England, Dodds’ decision to remain in her position amidst calls for her resignation underscores the complexities involved in addressing mishandling of abuse cases. The ongoing scrutiny facing figures within the Church and its institutions serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and safeguarding protocols in instances of reported abuse. Dodds’ insistence on staying in her role while acknowledging the criticisms raises questions about accountability and leadership within institutions tasked with protecting vulnerable individuals.