Former Bolton clergyman investigated for sexual abuse

The late Hubert Victor Whitsey was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Blackburn and served as a curate in Chorley and vicar in Downham before becoming Bishop of Hertford in 1971.

He also served in Manchester Diocese including as Rural Dean of Bolton.

The majority of the alleged offences relate to his time as Bishop of Chester but one is said to have taken place when he returned to the Church of England Diocese of Blackburn and was licensed to work as a priest across Lancashire.

Cheshire police's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey said the the Rev Whitsey, who died in December 1987, would have been spoken to by detectives were he still alive when the investigation started in July 2016.

The force investigated alleged offences against 13 victims, five male and eight female.

The Rt Rev Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, said today: “The Church of England has been supporting the police on an investigation into allegations of sexual offences against children and adults by the late Bishop Hubert Victor Whitsey.

“The allegations date from 1974 onwards when he was Bishop of Chester and while he was retired and living in Blackburn Diocese.

“I would like to echo the heartfelt apology offered today, by the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Chester, to the survivors who have been brave enough to come forward and tell their story of abuse by a senior figure in the Church, who was in a position of power and authority.

“We are offering pastoral support to all those who have come forward and are continuing to hold them all in our prayers."

The Rev Whitsey, born in 1916, was a curate in Chorley before becoming he became the Vicar of Farington from December 1949 to January 1 1951.

He then served in Manchester Diocese including as Rural Dean of Bolton and was Vicar of Downham St Leonard in the Ribble Valley from 1968 to 1971.

Assistant Ch Con Bailey said: “Cheshire Constabulary has published a report into the findings of an investigation into allegations of non-recent sexual abuse made against a former Bishop of Chester.

"Operation Coverage focused on allegations made against the late Bishop Hubert Victor Whitsey, which date back to the 1970s and 1980s. They relate to 13 victims, five male and eight female.

"The abuse is alleged to have taken place while the Bishop was living and working in Chester and one incident is reported to have taken place outside of the county.

"An investigation was launched by Cheshire Constabulary in July 2016 following a report from the Diocese of Chester Safeguarding Officer. Further disclosures were made as part of the investigation, which spanned a period of 13 months.

"Allegations of this nature are taken extremely seriously. The police have a duty to carry out a proportionate investigation into all allegations of sexual abuse, even if the alleged offences took place many years ago and the person being accused has since died.

"Following a thorough investigation and taking into account all of the information available, it has been established that, if Bishop Whitsey were alive today, as part of the investigation process he would have been spoken to by police.

"This would have been in order to outline the details of the allegations made and to provide him with an opportunity to offer an account of events.

"It is important to remember that this is not an indication of guilt, this is a key part of the investigation process and this happens regularly as part of a case to obtain an account whether this leads to further action or not. It is not the role of the police to judge whether someone is guilty or innocent.

"Anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse or knows of someone who is can contact police on 101."

Slater Gordon solicitors, which are representing four of the alleged victims today issued a statement on behalf of one, which said: “When I met Victor Whitsey I was young, innocent, and naïve.

"I longed for his blessing to achieve my wish of a future as a vicar, serving God and the community. He told me he agreed I had a calling from God. He also told me he had the power to give me everything I wanted in life and the power to take it all away. He then proceeded to abuse me sexually and psychologically. I was powerless to stop him.

“I blamed myself, thought I was the only victim and rationalised that it was my fault. If he was acting with Gods will, I should have enjoyed and welcomed what he did but I didn’t. If he was acting against God’s will, I should have rejected and reported him but I didn’t. Whichever way I rationalised it, I was a failure and not worthy of God’s love.

“I told no-one, who would believe a teenage boy’s word against a Bishop of the Church of England? I became reclusive and came to the ultimate conclusion 'The prospect of ever seeing Victor Whitsey again was so abhorrent to me that I turned my back on my beloved church and my calling to serve God. I self-harmed and have spent a lifetime focusing on resentment and bitterness.

“Twenty years after my abuse, I suffered a complete mental nervous breakdown which included attempted suicide. Because of the sexual abuse I suffered at the hands of Victor Whitsey I lost my faith, my chosen life as a vicar, my self-belief, my freedom from worry and my dignity.

"Child sex abuse is a crime which stays with you for a lifetime. As a child you don’t understand why or what is happening, but as you grow older you realise the enormity of the abuse and it hurts you all over again, you blame yourself for allowing it, you hate yourself for being weak.

"Since my abuse, not a day has gone by that I have not thought about what happened to me. In my mind I have a high definition video of what I went through, that I cannot eradicate no matter how hard I try. I remember him coming at me with shaking hands, I remember the feel of him on me, and I remember the last time I closed the door on my parish church realising that Christ had left me and I was utterly alone with horrific memories I could share with no-one.

“I would like to put on record that I cannot fault the police response or the sensitive, professional, and victim-centred approach they have taken. "The position I am in now is that I now know I am believed and am in control of my future.

"I cannot see my abuser face trial in a court on earth but I hope that by a public acknowledgement of what Whitsey did to us, the church can learn that they need to adopt a new culture of openness. I hope that there will be a public inquiry to understand not only what Whitsey did to his victims but to also learn who knew what he was doing, to what extent his actions were intentionally covered up, and who else was complicit in the crimes that he committed, and for which, I continue to suffer every day of my life.”

Richard Scorer, a specialist abuse lawyer from Slater and Gordon, said: “The abhorrent and disgusting abuse perpetrated by Bishop Whitsey destroyed many lives, driving some to attempt suicide.

"What is equally abhorrent is that the Church of England knew of his abuse, did nothing to stop it and covered it up. It is crucial that there is now an independent review into Whitsey abuse and who failed to act when they learnt of his heinous behaviour.”

A joint statement from the current Bishop of Chester, Dr Peter Forster and and the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu,said: "We can confirm that we have supported the police on an investigation into allegations of sexual offences against children and adults by the late Bishop Hubert Victor Whitsey. The allegations date from 1974 onwards when he was Bishop of Chester and from 1981 while he was retired and living in Blackburn diocese. Bishop Whitsey died in 1987.

“We are deeply sorry and apologise to those individuals who have come forward to share their account of abuse by a bishop in the Church of England who was in a position of power and authority.

"We appreciate that it is very difficult for individuals to come forward and to give their account. Sexual abuse is a heinous crime, and is an absolute and shameful breach of trust.

"We acknowledge that for survivors, the effects of sexual abuse are lifelong. We are offering pastoral support to all those who have come forward and continue to hold them all in our prayers.

“We have supported the police investigation Operation Coverage, which has been comprehensive, and they have informed us that 'should Right Reverend Hubert Victor Whitsey have been alive today, then the Police would have spoken to him in relation to 10 of the witness allegations.

“Anyone affected by today’s news should call the CCPAS helpline on 0303 003 11 11 who can offer help and signpost to church-related support and information or alternatively call the NSPCC 0808 800 5000.

"Anyone with further information on the case should go direct to the police on 101.

“The Church will consider what lessons can be learnt from this case and whether any action needs to be taken as a result of what these enquiries have shown.”

In a statement, detective superintendent Joanne Rawlinson from GMP said: “Greater Manchester Police is aware of a Cheshire Police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse made against the late Bishop Hubert Victor Whitsey, the Bishop of Chester, which date back to the 1970s and 1980s”.

“Whilst no reports have been made to GMP we are liaising closely with our colleagues at Cheshire Police and have set up a dedicated number for anyone who may have been affected in Greater Manchester”.

“Allegations of this nature are taken extremely seriously.  The police have a duty to carry out a proportionate investigation into all allegations of sexual abuse - even if the alleged offences took place many years ago and the person being accused has since died”.

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual or physical abuse to come forward and speak to us as soon as possible”.

“We understand that for many people, making disclosures about such traumatic events can be difficult but we can offer advice and support from specially trained officers throughout”.

“Anyone who may have been affected can call police on 0161 856 5504, alternatively call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”.