A safeguarding investigation into Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle, one of Northern Ireland’s largest churches, has identified what it describes as “a culture of indifference towards safeguarding”. The report, carried out by Pastor Nigel Elliott of the Elim Church, examined an alleged incident of inappropriate behaviour by a senior church leader, referred to as “WMT4”, as well as a number of wider safeguarding concerns. More than 20 recommendations were made, with around half considered highly urgent.
The investigation was triggered by an allegation from an adult male church member, “WMT1”, concerning an incident at a Men’s Fellowship meeting in June 2023, which was not reported until May 2024. WMT1 stated that the senior leader placed a hand on his back and moved it downwards, behaviour he found uncomfortable and unsettling. He also described a separate comment made during a Bible study session. WMT4 denied the allegations but accepted that he had placed his hand on WMT1’s shoulders on occasion. The report concluded that inappropriate behaviour had occurred, though the leader remained in post.
Additional allegations examined in the report included a youth team member having a sanitary towel marked “No Surrender” placed on their head and another report of WMT4 patting a youth team member. Several safeguarding officers subsequently resigned, stating that leadership had failed to respond adequately to concerns and had breached protocols by meeting privately with both the complainant and the alleged perpetrator without notifying the safeguarding team.
In a joint statement, Pastor David Purse and the church trustees said the complaint had been taken seriously, an independent investigation had been commissioned, and improvements to safeguarding procedures had since been implemented, including appointing a new safeguarding team. They said the church now has robust safeguarding structures. Meanwhile, the PSNI confirmed it is investigating three non-recent reports of sexual assault linked to a north Belfast church and is liaising with the church’s safeguarding team.
Read more: ‘Culture of indifference towards safeguarding’ found at Belfast church – BBC News
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