Catholic whistleblower welcomes child abuse ex-priest jailing
She said Gardner's jail term, which included a further year to be served on extended licence upon his release, "reflected the seriousness of his offending".She also said she still had concerns about the diocese, which had chosen to keep a page dedicated to Bishop Emeritus Byrne on its website without any mention of the scandal surrounding him.
"It is really quite insulting," Ms Richardson told the BBC, adding: "The message given out to people of the diocese and to victims is 'this man is incredibly important and he has this status'."It appears that his reputation is much more important than caring for victims and survivors and all the people in the diocese who have been left disillusioned."Bishop Byrne, who has declined to comment, resigned, with the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) finding serious failings in his leadership.Ms Richardson also said the diocese should apologise for "what they got wrong" in relation to Bishop Byrne.
'Abuse treated seriously'
A diocese spokesman said it had "not refused to acknowledge past failings" but rather had "twice apologised publicly for them".He said Gardner did not work in the diocese and the current bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Stephen Wright, had never met him."The diocese is dedicated to the effective safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in its parishes and institutions and we treat any allegation of abuse extremely seriously," the spokesman said. "It is simply untrue to suggest that the diocese is lax in any respect of safeguarding."He said the CSSA's latest report from February found "good practice" across all eight safeguarding areas. In relation to the webpage about Bishop Byrne, the spokesman said the title Bishop Emeritus was simply a description of his status as a living, former bishop and was "not a judgement of him".He said the content of the website had already been amended in accordance with requests of victims and survivors of abuse but it was "not prepared to mislead people by giving false information".A review by the Dicastery for Bishops found Bishop Byrne ignored warnings about his "inappropriate relationship " with Gardner.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Brits part of international animal cruelty group that electrocutes, drowns and starves cats for online videos
British people are involved in an international animal cruelty network that electrocutes, drowns and starves cats for online torture-porn videos. The network - which started in China and is believed to have thousands of members - shares and sells graphic videos and images of the animals being tortured and killed, the BBC reports. It comes after a 16-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy from north-west London pleaded guilty to torturing and killing two kittens in a park. Between May 2023 and May 2024, approximately one new video was uploaded online every 14 hours, according to the vigilante animal rights activist group Feline Guardians. Feline Guardians says it has documented 24 animal abuse groups this year, the largest of which has more than 1,000 members. New members are encouraged to mutilate animals and share their torture videos before being allowed to gain access to the wider network. The most active torturer is believed to have filmed the abuse and murder of more than 200 cats. Chat conversations between group members, who are seemingly based in the UK, include discussions about how to obtain cats including adopting them from the RSPCA. In another exchange one shared an advert for kittens for sale alongside the message stating that they wanted to 'torture them [the kittens] so bad [sic]'. In September 2023 the network launched the '100 cat kill' competition, during which members were challenged to kill and torture 100 cats as quickly as possible. Viral videos depicting the brutal torture and murder of cats were originally posted by Wang Chayoi. He was detained by the Chinese authorities for 15 days and made to write a letter of repentance. But his footage developed a cult following across the globe inspiring copycat videos. Lara, a volunteer for Feline Guardians, spends her time undercover on animal abuse forums. Speaking to the BBC she said: 'Every day I feel heartbroken, there is not a day that goes past that I don't feel like my heart is breaking.' The group have held several demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy in London urging the CCP to take harsher action against animal abusers in China. Explaining, Laura said: 'In mainland China, there are no laws that are stopping this. 'So that means that abusers and torturers can effectively do what they want and live out these very sadistic fantasies without any consequence. 'These videos are then uploaded, and essentially that's a global problem, because that means that everyone has access to these videos. 'Children are seeing this.' Ian Briggs, head of the RSPCA's special operations unit, told the BBC: 'Treating animals in this way is absolutely not acceptable and has no place in a modern society.' Johanna Baxter MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group [APPG] on cats, added: 'Animal abuse often acts as a gateway, making future acts of violence easier to rationalise and commit.'
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing stars start rehearsals as BBC launches cocaine investigation
Two stars from Strictly Come Dancing are alleged to have taken cocaine while appearing on the BBC One show in the latest scandal to hit the series The Strictly Come Dancing professionals put on a brave face today when they arrived for rehearsals as the BBC launches an investigation following the latest scandal to hit the show. In bombshell news, two stars from the family show are alleged to have taken cocaine while appearing on the primetime series, which is due to start again in September. In the latest shock to rock the long-running programme, drug use claims were submitted to the BBC in March by Russell's Solicitors on behalf of a celebrity contestant. It's believed that other individuals have also brought forward allegations of drug consumption on Strictly Come Dancing to the BBC. Earlier in the week, it was reported that one such allegation involved a Strictly star who allegedly commented on another individual's dilated pupils. It comes as the BBC is reportedly ready to offer the two stars a rehabilitation programme following revelations of cocaine use. Despite the drama, the professional dancers arrived for rehearsals today ahead of the new series. The talented stars, who were photographed for their first rehearsal for the show last week, smiled for the cameras as they made their way into the studio. Nadiya Bychkova, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Gorka Marquez, Nikita Kuzmin, Dianne Buswell all looked ready to work up a sweat as they arrived wearing their comfy clothes - with Nadiya sporting an oversized Minnie Mouse jumper and Gorka plumping for some loose-fitting stripey slacks. Joining them for rehearsals were Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Aljaz Skorjanec, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Michelle Tskiakkas, Nancy Xu, and new recruits Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon. It comes after bosses reportedly launched an investigation into claims that two of its stars took cocaine. The BBC has hired law firm Pinsent Masons to probe the allegations. Now, bosses are said to be set to offer those at the centre of the storm the chance of rehab. It's also claimed there could be random drug tests added to the upcoming tours, which are known to include after-parties. A source told the Sun, following the breakout news: "The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they're OK." They added: "As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered. While drug testing won't happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year." In a statement shared with the Mirror over the weekend, a representative for the BBC said: "We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further."
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
British model Chloe Ayling asks 'Why did no one believe me?' after kidnapping
Model Chloe Ayling was lured to a fake photo shoot, drugged and kidnapped, ready to be sold as a sex slave... but everyone thought she invented the ordeal. A BBC documentary tonight sheds light on the bizarre story In a gripping documentary starting tonight, Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping ( BBC Three, 9pm), victim Chloe speaks out for the first time since her kidnappers were imprisoned. In the summer of 2017, twenty-year-old glamour model Chloe was kidnapped in Italy by an international criminal gang known as Black Death. Turning up for what she believed to be a photoshoot in Milan, Chloe was grabbed from behind, drugged, and bundled into a bag before being taken to a remote farmhouse and handcuffed to a chest of drawers. She was told she had six days before being auctioned on the dark web and sold as a sex slave. Despite the terrifying circumstances, Chloe was able to remain calm and convince her captors to let her walk free and into the hands of the local authorities. But in the immediate aftermath, Chloe became the subject of global media speculation with both the press and public questioning her motives. Were her abductors really part of a sinister sex slavery ring? How did she persuade them to let her go? And why did Chloe seem so unaffected by what she'd been through? Then, ahead of the court case, as the perpetrators' own version of events was reported, the public were left questioning whether the crime was in fact a publicity stunt to further Chloe's modelling career. Her kidnapper, Lukasz Herba and his brother Michal Herba were subsequently found guilty by an Italian court and jailed. But even though she was vindicated, the rumour mill still swirls. This is Chloe's first documentary interview since her abductors' convictions, as she recounts what happened to her, how it changed her life and asks why, eight years later, so many people still don't believe her. Chloe now wants to challenge any remaining doubters and finally put the past behind her. Through probing interviews with those involved, the series separates fact from perception and looks at the press coverage of this extraordinary case, the public reaction and asks how a survivor became a suspect. Chloe says: 'What is it about me and the story that makes it so hard to believe?' The three-part series features unseen archive and unheard testimony from those closest to the story, including her former agent, the Italian detectives and British police, and the judge who never doubted Chloe's account. Filmed over a year, this is a fascinating series that asks how the survivor of a violent kidnapping could be turned into a suspect. Chloe says: "I'm delighted BBC Studios are telling my story - not only in my own words, but also through the voices of those directly involved. For years, people have doubted me, often because they don't understand what really happened - or who I am. "I think this documentary truly unravels and dives deep into who I am, the events of the kidnapping, as well as the intense media aftermath that tried to define me. I think people will finally see through the headlines." Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping airs tonight (Aug 4) on BBC Three at 9pm.
