The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised for causing "further distress" after Church of England abuse survivors criticised his Lords farewell speech for making light of serious safeguarding failures.
Justin Welby said his words, delivered to the House of Lords on Thursday, had caused further hurt to those harmed by the "heinous abuse" perpetrated by prolific child abuser John Smyth.
It comes as three lead bishops for safeguarding in the Church of England described the speech as "utterly insensitive" in a letter to some abuse survivors.
Mr Welby resigned in November after the damning Makin report into the abuse found he "could and should" have reported Smyth to police in 2013.