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Dean abuse claims 'correctly reported'

The former Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, said he responded to and reported abuse claims against a former Dean "correctly" when he learnt about them in 2003.

He said he was "shocked and saddened" to learn of the claims, dating back to the 1980s, and reported the matter to the Archbishop of York and a child protection officer immediately.

In responding to and reporting this tragic alleged abuse, I believe that I and the child protection officer followed correctly the then current 1999 guidelines laid down by the Church of England.

This is a particularly sad story of abuse that has brought deep and lasting distress to a young boy who had put his trust in the Church.

Since 2004 new guidelines for responding to allegations of abuse have replaced those of 1999.

All such allegations are now reported automatically to the police by the Church.