Justin Welby joked about his own career demise after he was forced to resign following a daming report on church abuse

The outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has come under fire over a speech to the House of Lords in his first public address since announcing his resignation under a storm of controversy

The Archbishop of Canterbury said a “head had to roll” after the Church of England’s handling of the John Smyth sexual abuse scandal was made clear in a damming report.

THE Archbishop of Canterbury ’s final speech in the House of Lords has been described as “tone deaf” by a survivor of John Smyth ’s abuse. The Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, also criticised the Archbishop for his use of “violent imagery”.

Independent review accuses senior leaders within Church of England of cover-up, further spotlighting Justin Welby’s role and knowledge of the events - Anadolu Ajansı

Some peers laughed during his speech in parliament on Thursday, prompting criticism of its content and tone, in light of the John Smyth abuse scandal that led to Mr Welby's resignation.

Archbishop of Canterbury sorry for abuse victims’ hurt after 'tone deaf' speech - Justin Welby’s words in the House of Lords during his farewell speech on Thursday have come under fire

The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised after being accused of making light of serious safeguarding failures in the Church of England. The Most Rev Justin Welby made his final speech in the House of Lords on Thursday and referred to a 14th-century beheading,

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has said he 'would like to apologise wholeheartedly for the hurt' caused by his final speech in the House of Lords.