On 17 August 2026, the Church of England issued the Press Release Clergy Discipline complaint against Bishop Paul Butler which is reproduced in full below.
Clergy Discipline complaint against Bishop Paul Butler
17/08/2026
At the commencement of the hearing before the Court of the Vicar General of York to consider a complaint brought against him by the National Director of Safeguarding, Mr Alexander Kubeyinje, the Rt Rev Paul Butler entered admissions to the allegations of misconduct.
The hearing was then adjourned and a further hearing to consider a penalty will be listed in due course.
- The complaint related to information contained in the Makin Review which looked at the Church’s handling of allegations against the late John Smyth.
Support
If this statement causes distress, support is available through the independent 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 safeguarding@churchofengland.org.
Other support services are also available.
Comment
The Religion Media Centre explains that the Statement was issued in connection with information contained in the Makin Review which looked at the Church’s handling of allegations against the late John Smyth. Bishop Butler retired in 2024 and was asked to “step back” from ministry in November that year over safeguarding concerns in the report. From 2012 – 2017, he was president of Scripture Union which had historical links until 2000, with the “Iwerne camps” where John Smyth was a camp leader.