A “CULTURE of silence and fear” in the Church of England is stopping clergy from calling out senior leaders over the John Smyth abuse scandal, a bishop warned today.

Bishop of Newcastle Dr Helen-Ann Hartley said her fellow bishops may also be staying silent as they are thinking about their own career prospects.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation last week after being criticised in a damning report into the church’s most prolific abuser.