Criminal investigation launched in wake of Presbyterian Church safeguarding ‘failings’
Church ‘welcomes investigation’ and confirms they ‘will co-operate fully’
(We will see how welcome are the findings!! — BB Editor’s comment)
Police in Northern Ireland have launched a criminal investigation following safeguarding concerns in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Last week the Church’s moderator, Rev Trevor Gribben, resigned over “serious and significant failings” in safeguarding within the church between 2009 and 2022
Speaking at a press conference in Belfast, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “Over the last number of days we have been working with statutory partners to formalise a co-ordinated response to address the matters that have come to light as a result of the recent announcement by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
“My immediate priority and that of the PSNI is the protection and the safeguarding of anyone who may have been affected.
“In that regard I have established a dedicated PSNI investigation team under the supervision of an experienced senior investigating officer from our public protection branch.
“This officer will lead what I can confirm today will be a criminal investigation.”
He said the investigation would also seek to establish if criminal offences had been committed by those responsible for safeguarding in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
He added: “I would confirm this investigation will seek to establish victims of offending and the perpetrators and to investigate if criminal offences have been committed by those responsible for safeguarding.
“We, of course, recognise the courage it takes to come forward with such an investigation and we want to reassure anyone affected that you will be heard and you will be supported.”
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck pictured during a briefing relating to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland safeguarding accompanied by Geraldine Hanna, chief executive, Victim Support NI. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
Mr Beck said his investigation team would make sure “perpetrators will be held to account”.
He said: “The role of the PSNI will be to investigate all criminal offences and to work closely with statutory partners under the joint protocol arrangements.
“That is to ensure victims can access the criminal justice process and perpetrators will be held to account.
“We would encourage anyone who is suffering or who is affected to speak with our dedicated investigative team who will be on hand to provide specialist advice and signposting to other key services.
“If I can speak directly to victims, I recognise that this may be difficult and you may not be ready. That is OK. We want to hear from you, you will be treated with sensitivity, with respect and with professionalism.
“PSNI is appealing to anyone who wishes to make a report or indeed to disclose information to contact police directly on our line 101 or through our dedicated email address.”
Following the police briefing, a spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland confirmed they welcome the investigation and confirmed they would “be co-operating fully with it”.
“Having been informed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland that they have launched a criminal investigation we welcome this believing it will provide a thorough, trusted and transparent outcome,” they said.
“We will co-operate fully with the investigation. We will make available all relevant files, reports and information to assist police with their inquiries.
“As a consequence of the PSNI’s announcement today of their investigation we will not be able to make any further comment related to the inquiry or aspects pertaining to it.”