Bishop Rachel is pleased to share the following information with you:
On 25 February 2025, the National Safeguarding Team announced that, following an independent process after the Makin review, it would start disciplinary proceedings against ten named clergy.
We have now received the outcome for the Revd Tim Hastie-Smith. Bishop Rachel delegated the matter to another diocesan bishop. The Bishop responsible reviewed the evidence and decided that there was no misconduct, so no further action was needed.
The National Safeguarding Team requested that the President of Tribunals review the Bishop’s decision. This has taken place and the President agreed the decision was correct. The proceedings have now ended.
Section 17 of the Clergy Disciplinary Measure decision reads that, “The critical point, as it seems to me, is that the respondent did report appropriately the disclosures which were made to him. The account which he gave in his answer… fully supports that conclusion and there is no good reason to doubt it. Indeed, it does not appear that the complainant challenges the truthfulness or accuracy of that account. I have seen nothing to call it into question. Nor have I seen anything to call into question the respondent’s explanation that his principal concern throughout was for the welfare of Smyth’s victims.
It continues, “In these circumstances I have no doubt that the Bishop’s decision cannot be regarded as plainly wrong. But in fairness to the respondent, I would go further. Having given the matters relied on by the complainant careful scrutiny, I consider that the Bishop’s decision to take no further action on this complaint was clearly correct.”
Scripture Union published the Executive Summary of the John Smyth Independent Case Review in March 2021. The document set out the links between the SU and the abuse committed by John Smyth. They said, “Scripture Union notes and accepts the decision of The Right Honourable Sir Stephen Males, President of CDM Tribunals dated 27th November 2025 that Rev Tim Hastie-Smith, the former National Director of Scripture Union, reported appropriately the disclosures about the abuses committed by John Smyth that were made to him from October 2014 onwards.
The Revd Tim Hastie-Smith said: “I remain committed to supporting all the various processes being undertaken by the Church to address our collective shortcomings in this matter. Scores of people were abused by John Smyth over five decades. The nature of his abuse and its longevity is horrifying. My thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of his abuse.”
The full decision by the President of Tribunals can be found below.
CDM Sec 13 Decision (Kubeyinje v Hastie-Smith)
Finding support
If you, or anyone you are in contact with, is affected by the publication of this report and would like to talk to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team in your area or the National Safeguarding Team at gro.d1768680507nalgn1768680507efohc1768680507ruhc@1768680507gnidr1768680507augef1768680507as1768680507.
There are also other support services available.
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