Starmer Refuses to Back Justin Welby Amid Calls to Resign

Labour Leader Distances Himself from Archbishop of Canterbury

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has declined to support the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, following calls for his resignation over his handling of a sexual abuse case.

Welby Under Fire

Welby is facing mounting pressure to step down after it emerged that he failed to properly investigate allegations of abuse against a former bishop.

The archbishop has admitted that he "made mistakes" in his handling of the case, but he has so far resisted calls to resign.

Starmer's Response

When asked about the situation, Starmer said that he was "concerned" about the allegations against Welby.

However, he added that he did not believe that it was "appropriate" for him to comment on whether or not the archbishop should resign.

Starmer's comments are a significant blow to Welby, who is seen as a key figure in the Church of England.

Calls for Resignation

The calls for Welby to resign have come from a number of quarters, including senior members of the Church of England.

The Bishop of Buckingham, Alan Wilson, has said that Welby should consider his position, while the Bishop of Burnley, Philip North, has said that he has "lost confidence" in the archbishop.

The situation is a major test for Welby, who has been the Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013.

It remains to be seen whether he will be able to weather the storm or whether he will be forced to step down.

Conclusion

The situation surrounding Justin Welby is a complex and difficult one.

It is important to remember that Welby has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.

However, the allegations against him are serious and they have raised questions about his ability to lead the Church of England.