THE ARCHBISHOP of York is setting up an independent inquiry to look into the handling of allegations of child abuse by a former senior clergyman.

Dr John Sentamu has announced an investigation will be launched into issues surrounding reports that the Very Reverend Robert Waddington, who died from cancer in 2007, is said to have groomed and abused a chorister in Manchester in the 1980s.

The former Dean of Manchester Cathedral is also said to have targeted a pupil at a boarding school in Queensland, Australia, where he was headteacher in the 1960s.

According to reports in the national press last week, Lord Hope of Thornes was informed of the two claims in 1999 and 2003, whilst he was Archbishop of York.

He strongly denies allegations of a cover-up.

Following the accusations, Lord Hope revoked Dean Waddington’s right to conduct church services and ordered internal investigations into the alleged abuse.

But Lord Hope said the clergyman was in “such a fragile and frail state” with his deteriorating health that it was not reported to the authorities.

He wrote to the North Queensland Diocese in 1999 saying Dean Waddington was deeply sorry for anything he may have done to offend and that the clergyman offered an unreserved apology.

The Office of the Archbishop of York has said it is taking allegations of abuse with the “utmost seriousness”, describing child abuse as a “heinous and personally damaging crime”.

When the inquiry completes its report, the Archbishop will make the findings public.

In a strongly worded statement, the Archbishop’s office said: “When any church-related abuse comes to light the church’s first concern must be for the victim, offering support and apologising for the abuse, acknowledging that the effects can be lifelong.

“When the inquiry makes its report the Archbishop will make its findings public.

“The Church of England continues to review its Child Protection and Safeguarding policies regularly to ensure that the church is a safe place for all. Child abuse is a heinous and personally damaging crime, it is therefore incumbent on the church to treat such matters with the utmost seriousness.”