Minister’s Licence Revoked Following Review Mentioning Smyth Link

The licence to practice of a Church of England minister has been revoked subsequent to his identification in a critical review concerning John Smyth, a prolific serial abuser. Reverend Nick Stott, who serves as a pastor in Cheltenham, participated in camps alongside Smyth and subsequently assisted in their organization and funding within Zimbabwe. According to the Makin review, Reverend Stott received advice against joining Smyth and his mission in Zimbabwe, yet he proceeded with his decision to go. There is no indication that he perpetrated any abuse. The Diocese of Gloucester has refrained from providing a statement concerning Reverend Stott. The review detailed that Reverend Stott was informed of “an issue” involving Smyth during the 1980s, but it notes that specific details were not shared with him. Furthermore, he reportedly observed “surprising” behaviour at one of Smyth’s camps, locations where abuse is now confirmed to have occurred. He also stated he was the initial person present following the drowning death of a 16-year-old boy who was swimming naked at a camp operated by Smyth in 1992. By the year 2001, Reverend Stott held the position of head of the Zambesi Trust UK charity, which offered financial assistance to Smyth during his residence in southern Africa. He informed the Makin review that he regrets not having taken further action after being apprised of concerns regarding the disgraced barrister. The review, which also contained criticisms of Church of England leaders that resulted in the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, states that at the time he believed “it was not his place to go investigating rumours and, in hindsight, he wishes he had done so.” Reverend Stott conveyed to the review his confidence that “any matters would have been investigated and dealt with by people he trusted”. Subsequent to the release of the Makin review, dioceses throughout the nation, in conjunction with the Church of England’s national safeguarding team, have been conducting examinations of individuals identified within the report. The Diocese of Gloucester verified that, as a component of that review, Mr. Stott’s permission to officiate (PTO) has been withdrawn. The Bishop of Gloucester, the Right Revd Rachel Treweek, and the Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Right Revd Robert Springett, stated: “The Makin report on John Smyth makes sickening and sobering reading. That this level of abuse could be going on in the Church and other institutions, and knowingly by so many, is abhorrent and disturbs us to our core.“As Bishops in the Church of England we are profoundly sorry for the hurt, the pain and the suffering which victims and survivors of John Smyth’s abuse have endured, and we are ashamed at the Church’s response to the allegations. “We are also appalled that any clergy person could believe that covering up abuse was justified in the name of the Gospel.” The revocation of Reverend Stott’s PTO occurs after the announcement that a different minister, also associated with the Zambesi Trust, had consented to withdraw from her responsibilities. The Makin Review concluded that Reverend Sue Colman, an associate minister in Oakley, Hampshire, and her husband, likely “had significant knowledge” of abuse occurring in both the UK and Africa. Both individuals served as trustees for the Zambesi Trust UK, an organization that ceased operations in 2018.