Senior figure at independent school steps aside as police probe historical abuse

By The Press Association2nd September 2016News EnglandChild Abuse, News England, Non-Recent / Historic Abuse, Yorkshire

A senior figure at a leading Roman Catholic independent school has stepped aside as police investigate allegations of historical abuse made by four former pupils.

The Right Reverend Cuthbert Madden, Ampleforth College’s chairman of governors and Ampleforth Abbey’s abbot, has denied any wrongdoing.

He has been at the Benedictine monk-run college for over 30 years and was elected abbot in 2005.

A police spokesman said: “North Yorkshire Police is investigating non-recent allegations of indecent assault against four pupils at Ampleforth College which took place in the 1990s.

“The information was reported to the police in August 2016. The investigation remains ongoing and a man in his sixties has been interviewed under caution.

“The police investigation has also triggered safeguarding measures which have been put in place while the investigation continues.”

The school has a history of allegations of abuse with a number of previous convictions, including Father Piers Grant-Ferris who was jailed for two years in 2006 for 20 counts of indecent assault on boys in his care.

The force also confirmed they were “conducting two other inquiries into alleged sexual abuse at the college”.

The school, which opened in 1802 as a boys’ school, has over 600 pupils and admitted girls for the first time in 2002. Some of its famous former pupils include Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio.

A statement on the abbey’s website said: “Following allegations relating to historical events, Abbot Cuthbert Madden has temporarily stepped aside from his responsibilities as Abbot of Ampleforth.

“Father Madden denies any wrongdoing and will be co-operating fully whilst the allegations are investigated by the appropriate authorities.

“In the interests of transparency, we want to ensure the Ampleforth community and friends are aware of the current situation.

“This course of action accords fully with established civil and ecclesiastical protocols, and is a neutral action, which will remain in place for the duration of the investigation.

“Father Terence Richardson, the Prior of Ampleforth Abbey, has full delegated authority to act as the Religious Superior of Ampleforth Abbey during this time.”