The Archbishop of Canterbury has issued an apology over his final speech in the House of Lords after he was accused of making light of serious safeguarding failures. Justin Welby said he “would like to apologise wholeheartedly for the hurt” caused by his valedictory after senior bishops accused him of making light of the situation following his resignation last month over the damning Makin review,

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.

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.

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

Welby stepped down on November 12 after the Makin review found he failed to formally report abuse committed by John Smyth, who died in 2018. | ITV National News

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.