Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme about the possibility of more resignations, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said: “Those who actively covered this up (should resign), which was not bishops. “When people speak about the Church of England, we need to remember we are speaking about literally thousands of branches, parishes, chaplaincies.”

Archbishop Makoba noted that while abuse cases had surfaced in the region in recent years, the church has been taking significant steps to prevent such harm in the future.

John Smyth is said to have physically, psychologically and sexually abused young men and boys, who he picked from Christian summer camps, at his Winchester home