JUSTIN WELBY will step down from his role as archbishop of Canterbury at midnight tonight, leaving the Church of England still mired in criticism over its handling of sexual abuse scandals.

The crisis began when it was revealed that the serial abuses of sadistic priest John Smyth had been covered up before he was sent by the church to Africa, where he continued his activities.

In November last year the independent Makin review concluded barrister and Christian camp leader Smyth — thought to have been the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the church — might have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally reported him to police in 2013.