Allegations made after the publication of the Makin report, Church House says
By FRANCIS MARTIN
THE TIMES
February 2025
ALLEGATIONS of sexual abuse and coercive behaviour were made against the Revd David Fletcher, a former Rector of St Ebbe’s, Oxford, after the publication of the Makin report, it was revealed on Thursday morning.
A statement from Church House said that the National Safeguarding Team and the diocese of Oxford had received “information of sexual abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour” concerning the late Mr Fletcher, who was Rector of St Ebbe’s from 1986 to 1998. He died three years ago (News, 11 February 2022).
The allegations concern women and girls, the statement says, and had been reported to the police.
The Rector, Parish Safeguarding Officer, and churchwardens of St Ebbe’s issued their own statement on Thursday, stating that “since 2017” two women had previously alleged that Mr Fletcher had been “inappropriately tactile with them”. By the time these reports were made, Mr Fletcher was “very unwell and had ceased doing any ministry”, the statement said, and the reports were referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
The Church Times understands that these allegations are separate to those made following the publication of the Makin report.
On Thursday evening, Channel 4 News is due to broadcast interviews with three women who have made complaints against Mr Fletcher, the journalist Cathy Newman said on social media.
Mr Fletcher was a leader at the Iwerne camps alongside John Smyth, who is known to have abused at least 30 young men and boys in the UK. Mr Fletcher was identified in the Makin review as being at the heart of the cover-up of Smyth’s abuse from 1981 until 2013, when a disclosure to the diocese of Ely led to Smyth’s being reported to the police.
Before he died, Mr Fletcher told the review: “I thought it would do the work of God immense damage if this were public” (News, 7 November 2024).
Thursday’s statement thanked those who had “bravely come forward” with allegations against Mr Fletcher, and said that support had been offered to them.
“Revd Fletcher’s family have been informed and support has been offered,” the statement said.
Mr Fletcher’s brother, the Revd Jonathan Fletcher, is a former Minister of Emmanuel Proprietary Chapel, Ridgway, Wimbledon, in the diocese of Southwark, who is currently awaiting trial on charges of indecent assault and grievous bodily harm.
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ST EBBE’S STATEMENT ON DAVID FLETCHER
By Vaughan Roberts
February 6, 2025
We were very shocked to hear of allegations concerning David Fletcher of sexual abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour towards women and girls (see the Oxford Diocese statement here). We hold all victims and survivors of abuse in our prayers, hoping profoundly for their healing and recovery, and are praying very much for those who have come forward and for all those who are most affected by this announcement.
David Fletcher was Rector of St Ebbe’s from 1986-1998 and remained a congregation member until he died three years ago. His death means we cannot ask him the questions we all seek answers to. We do not know the details of the allegations ourselves and are therefore unable to answer questions in relation to them.
Since 2017, by which time David Fletcher was very unwell and had ceased doing any ministry, St Ebbe’s received reports from two women about him having been inappropriately tactile with them. These were referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. No other concerns have been reported to St Ebbe’s in relation to him.
In the light of the 31:8 review into the abuses of Jonathan Fletcher, the PCC conducted a review into our governance, including safeguarding procedures, and a culture review. This has led to an ongoing process of cultural reflection; we are also in the process of considering the lessons and recommendations of the Makin Review. We are committed to doing all we can to make St Ebbe’s a safe and healthy community.
If you have any questions or concerns in relation to safeguarding, or wish to make a disclosure, please contact one of our Safeguarding Team, the Diocese of Oxford Safeguarding Team, or, if you wish to remain anonymous, Safe Spaces.
Please send any questions or concerns in relation to governance or culture to the Churchwardens (churchwardens@stebbes.org).
We continue to depend on the Lord Jesus, who knows all things and is only ever good, faithful and loving, pleading for him to bring truth, justice and healing.
Vaughan Roberts, Rector
Niki Ridgway, Parish Safeguarding Officer
Greg Brisk, Churchwarden
Suzanne Wilson-Higgins, Churchwarden
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