An investigation into an alleged incident of inappropriate behaviour by a senior leader found a culture of indifference towards safeguarding at the North Belfast church.

“The reinforcement we have heard about a culture of indifference to child safeguarding at Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle, including one safeguarding officer having to resign and another being called a 'satanist' for raising concerns, merely emphasises we cannot have institutions marking their own homework,” said South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw.

“However, it also re-emphasises the call made by representatives of the Interfaith Clerical Abuse Survivors and Dromore Group that research commissioned by the Executive Office a decade ago into the extent and systemic nature of clerical abuse has still not been published.

“The only reasonable response to today's news is to publish that report to provide clarity to victims and survivors that their interests, not those of institutions, are being prioritised. Then we need to see immediate action from the First and deputy First Minister on those findings and recommendations – they know what needs to be done, now they need to get on with it without delay.”