In response to an article in today’s Burton Mail newspaper, Gavin Drake, the director of communications for the Diocese of Lichfield, has issued the following statement:
“The Burton Mail today uses un-named sources to make serious accusations that the Diocese of Lichfield has engaged in a ‘cover up’ of a crime; yet in the same article they state that the ‘crime’ is being investigated by Staffordshire Police. How can there be a cover up when the appropriate authority is conducting an investigation? There is a significant difference between covering something up and not being open with the public about an ongoing police investigation.
“The Diocese of Lichfield will always co-operate with the police during enquiries – and that includes not saying or doing anything which could jeopardise any investigation. The police need the time and space to conduct an investigation; and during this time the police are the lead authority and they will decide what, if any, information is to be made public. The Diocese of Lichfield will not attempt to second-guess the police and put information into the public domain until the police are ready for that information to be made public.
“If, at the end of an investigation, the Police and Crown Prosecution Service conclude that the evidence they have gathered supports the accusation, a person will be charged and will appear before the courts where they will either admit their guilt or stand trial. At that stage, it becomes legitimate to report the allegations that have been made against a person; the evidence in support of those allegations, any defence produced; and the decision of the jury as to the guilt or innocence of the accused.
“It is a very rare occurrence for a priest to be charged with a serious offence; but the Diocese of Lichfield has a policy of informing the media, through the Press Association, whenever one of its priests has been charged and is due to appear before the courts.
“But it is equally possible that evidence gathered by the police during an investigation does not support the allegations made. And in such circumstances it is right and proper that the person concerned should be protected from unwarranted public scrutiny - It is not right that a person who has not been formally charged or accused of any offence should have his or her name dragged through the media when they are unable, because of the ongoing police investigation, to offer any public defence. In this country, we generally try to avoid ‘trial by media’.
“The Diocese of Lichfield, in line with the official Church of England child protection policy, will normally suspend without prejudice a priest who is under investigation for offences relating to child pornography. Such a decision is usually taken following advice from and discussion with appropriate bodies, including the police, social services, and local child protection units. Such a decision to suspend is taken, without pre-judging the guilt or innocence of the individual concerned, to ensure the protection of children – which is of primary importance – and to protect the individual under investigation and to provide space for them to respond to the police enquiries without the strain of trying to lead mission and ministry in a parish.
“There have been a number of occasions when accusations have been made against clergy who have either been not charged following a police investigation; or who have been charged but subsequently cleared.
“The Diocese of Lichfield has a difficult balancing act between our primary responsibility to protect children; our responsibility to the police who are investigating an alleged crime; our responsibility to a priest who may be completely innocent of any offence; and our responsibility to our congregations who want to know why their priest is not fulfilling his or her normal duties.
“If a priest under investigation is subsequently cleared of criminal charges; and an internal investigation and risk assessment provides no reason why the priest should not return to work; then they are entitled to have the suspension lifted and resume their duties. It is very difficult for this to happen if the priest has been branded by false accusations in the media.
“Police enquiries can be complex and take some time to conclude. We do not seek to interfere with police investigations and we recognise that the police need to take as long as it takes to investigate serious crimes. However, we recognise that the longer an investigation takes place the more difficult it becomes both for the congregations and the priest concerned. For this reason we offer all parties our continuing prayers.”
ENDS
NOTES: Reporters considering covering the story in today’s Burton Mail are encouraged to re-read “Reporting Investigations” on pages 253-254 of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists (19th ed); on which the Diocese of Lichfield’s communications policy surrounding investigations prior to a charge is based.