CoE minister married to Colman mustard heir asked to step back from duties over abuse scandal

Just days after the Archbishop of Canterbury quit after pressure over his own knowledge of the scandal, Reverend Sue Colman is the latest casualty of the crisis gripping the Church of England

A Church of England minister has been asked to step back after her knowledge of a prolific abuser's actions emerged.

Just days after the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby quit after pressure over his own knowledge of the scandal, Reverend Sue Colman is the latest casualty of the crisis gripping the Church of England. The associate minister at St Leonard's Church, Oakley, near Basingstoke in Hampshire, was named in an independent review into John Smyth's abuse.

She was aware of John Smyth's abuse before being ordained, the Makin Review found. And her husband, Sir Jamie Colman – the Colman’s mustard dynasty heir – has been asked to step back from volunteering, a statement from the Diocese of Winchester said.

The review, published last week, noted Mrs Colman and Sir Jamie visited Smyth in Africa in the 1990s and funded the Smyths through a personal trust. Sir Jamie was chairman of the UK Zambesi Trust, while his wife was also a trustee.

The review said: "Sue Colman advises that she did not know the full details of the abuse in the UK, but that she was told that some level of abuse had taken place. Sue Colman advises that she was not asked to declare knowledge of such abuse at that time of ordination, nor was information about it offered... It is likely, on the balance of probabilities, that both Jamie and Sue Colman had significant knowledge of the abuses in the UK and Africa, given their positions as Trustees."

Sir Jamie was chairman of the UK Zambesi Trust, while his wife was also a trustee. The review said: "It is likely, on the balance of probabilities, that both Jamie and Sue Colman had significant knowledge of the abuses in the UK and Africa, given their positions as trustees." Victims of Smyth, a barrister who led Christian summer camps and is thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the Church, have called for more resignations from senior clergy members involved in the scandal.

A spokesperson from the Diocese of Winchester said on Thursday: “The Diocese of Winchester is appalled by the findings of the Makin Review and the sheer extent of the horrific abuse perpetrated by John Smyth. It is a matter of deep regret and sorrow that John Smyth was able to have any association with our diocese while perpetrating such abhorrent abuse.

"The Diocese of Winchester has asked Revd Colman to step back from all ministerial duties while we reflect on the review’s findings and work with the National Safeguarding Team to take steps to manage any associated risk. Mr Colman has no official ministerial position in our diocese but has also been asked to step back from volunteering.

"Bishop Philip has made it clear that all failures in safeguarding should be treated with the utmost seriousness, whether locally or nationally, and that the response to those failures should be proportionate and appropriate. Our prayers continue to be with all those affected by this grievous matter.”

The Parish of Oakley with Wootton said: "For a number of years, Revd Sue Colman has served as a part-time voluntary associate minister in our parish. As Sue and her husband Jamie were named in the Makin report, they have agreed to step back from their current ministries within the parish whilst this review is undertaken. We cannot imagine the pain and distress John Smyth's actions have caused for so many. Our hearts are broken at the thought of the lives that have been damaged."

Across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa, Smyth is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives.

In 2018, he died aged 77 in Cape Town while under investigation by Hampshire Police, and was "never brought to justice for the abuse", the review said. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said on Tuesday that his decision to step down was in the best interests of the Church. The Church's National Safeguarding Team is reportedly looking into the actions of at least 30 officials named in the report. The Colman's brand was bought by Unilever in 1995.