‘Watershed moment’ — Presbyterian Church in Ireland admits major safeguarding failures; experts call for full independent inquiry

Presbyterian Church in Ireland acknowledges 'serious and significant' safeguarding failings

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has admitted to 'serious and significant' failures in its safeguarding arrangements covering 2009–2022. The disclosure prompted the church's moderator to step down and has drawn calls from senior child-protection experts for urgent action and full transparency.

Police engagement and response line

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it is in ongoing discussions with the church to ensure mechanisms are in place to support anyone who wishes to report abuse. Those discussions began after the church raised concerns with police following a 2024 conviction for child sexual offences. The church has set up a response line for anyone who wishes to share their experience.

Calls for an independent, 'root and branch' inquiry

Jim Gamble, former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (CEOP), described the revelations as a 'watershed moment' and urged a 'root and branch' independent inquiry to establish what went wrong and to ensure congregations are safe. Mr Gamble, who is midway through a five-year contract auditing safeguarding in the Church of England, criticised the church for what he called ambiguous public statements and a lack of transparent information.

'By failing to share in as transparent a way as possible what has gone wrong — the Presbyterian Church are proving the point that there must be a full and independent inquiry, a report that is published and remedial action that is taken urgently,' Mr Gamble said.

Safeguarding experts and church leaders seek external help

Bernie McNally, chair of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, said the church needs external support to create a system that ensures 'the voice of victims and potential victims can be heard' and that people can have confidence in the church's processes. She recommended outside assistance to rebuild systems from within and independent verification once new safeguards are in place.

Impact on congregations and church response

Former First Derry Presbyterian minister Rev David Latimer said he was 'stunned, shocked and greatly saddened' and called for an immediate independent review with published results and recommendations. Church leaders say three congregations have come forward where people have spoken to church representatives, and that affected congregations are on both sides of the Irish border.

The acting clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Dr David Allen, explained that the church launched an internal investigation after receiving information from the PSNI in May and that the police inquiry prevented the church from taking action until it was complete. The general council convener, Rev David Bruce, said the church does not know precisely who has been harmed and described the number of known cases as 'very small', while urging anyone with concerns to come forward.

Wider concerns

Another child-protection expert has reportedly withdrawn from a separate grooming inquiry, alleging that the process was being used for political 'point scoring' — a claim that has intensified debate about how such reviews should be conducted and communicated.

As the denomination faces renewed scrutiny, experts stress that transparent, independent investigation and timely remedial action are essential to restore trust, reassure congregations and protect children.