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York Minster bellringers: archbishop called on to explain mass dismissal
Dr John Sentamu challenged by lawyer for David Potter, banned from ringing for life, who says move is 'breach of natural justice'
By Josh Halliday
https://www.theguardian.com/
October 25, 2016
The archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has been challenged to explain the dismissal of 30 volunteer bellringers from York Minster, amid claims the controversial move followed a long-running feud with the lead campanologist.
The lawyer for David Potter, who has been banned for life from ringing the famous bells, claimed the move by church officials amounted to a "breach of natural justice" and called on Sentamu to explain his claim that there was an ongoing inquiry into "safeguarding" issues at the cathedral.
Colin Byrne, of the law firm Howard & Byrne, said Sentamu's assertion contradicted a letter he received in September from a minster canon saying: "The matter is closed."
The row comes after Potter and his 30-strong bellringing team were dismissed at short notice over safeguarding concerns, causing an outcry in York where the bells will be silent until the new year.
The mass dismissal has brought to the surface a 17-year-old saga that centres on Potter, a leading figure in the bellringing team who was the subject of two police investigations following allegations made in 1999 and 2015. On neither occasion were charges brought.
In January 2000, days after Potter had been awarded an MBE for bellringing services over three decades, he was suspended as ringing master at York Minster and from his job as a teacher after claims of indecent assault. The following month, the police said he would not be charged.
But in June last year, North Yorkshire police applied for a sexual risk order following concerns raised over his contact with children. An interim order was granted but quashed by York crown court a month later. Magistrates dismissed the application last December.
York Minster banned Potter permanently from its bell tower in July, prompting protests from fellow bellringers. Byrne said Potter was not given the opportunity to make legal representations before he was dismissed.
"The bellringers were not very happy and voiced their concerns and because of this they were all sacked, which itself is a further breach of natural justice," he told the York Press. "I was shocked by the lack of due process and natural justice -- the right to a fair hearing."
A Bishopthorpe Palace spokesman said Sentamu was away and there was no way to immediately clarify whether there was an ongoing inquiry.
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