Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the most senior leader in the Church of England, has resigned over his handling of a child abuse case, according to his official account.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned over accusations that he failed to report physical and sexual abuse to the police.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said that his decision to step down was in the best interests of the Church.

The Most Rev. Justin Welby, the leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide, announced his resignation days after a report found he had taken insufficient action over claims of abuse.

Justin Welby said he was stepping down “in sorrow.” He faced mounting calls to resign after an investigation found he failed to promptly report serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is under mounting pressure to resign after a report found the Church of England covered up abuse of more than 100 boys and young men by the barrister John Smyth for years.

As the Church of England looks for a new leader, David Maddox examines how the appointment will be as important for British politics as it is for religion