The Archbishop of York has responded to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, which came after mounting pressure from members of the public and clergy.

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Church of England, has been embroiled in controversy since the Makin Review concluded that barrister John Smyth, who is thought to have been the most prolific abuser associated with the Church of England, might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013.

Smyth died aged 75 in Cape Town in 2018 while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was "never brought to justice for the abuse", the review published last week said.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell (left), and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, during a Synod at the General Synod of the Church of England (Image: PA)

After the news of Justin Welby's resignation, Archbishop Stephen said: "As I read the Makin review last week and reflected on the terrible abuse perpetrated by John Smyth and shamefully covered up by others, I am, first of all, moved by the accounts of victims and survivors that we have heard from so powerfully.

"They were badly let down by many in different parts of the Church of England. I am grateful for their courage to be part of the review.

Screen grab taken from the X (formerly Twitter) account of the Archbishop of Canterbury showing his resignation letter  (Image: Archbishop of Canterbury/PA Wire)

"As a church we continue to work towards and must achieve a more victim-centred and trauma-informed approach to safeguarding within the Church of England, and this must address the broader questions of culture and leadership.

"In this regard, much progress has already been made over the last 10 years.

"Indeed, it has been Archbishop Justin himself who has championed those developments and reforms. Both Justin and I have made our hopes known about the independence of safeguarding discussed both by Makin and also in Alexis Jay’s report and look forward to the group already at work on these bringing recommendations which can be both effective and trusted.

"As Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin has decided to take his share of responsibility for the failures identified by the Makin review. I believe this is the right and honourable thing to do.

"Whilst this is a difficult day for Justin, I pray there will be an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the many positive aspects of his ministry and his huge commitment to the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and above all the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"But I continue to take account of the needs and experiences of victims and survivors and look to the various changes, above all the greater independence of safeguarding, that we need to help ensure these failings never happen again.

"It is to this ongoing work that I commit myself."