POLICE are considering an investigation into the former Archbishop of York.

Lord David Hope resigned from his position as an honorary assistant bishop in 2014 after a report into allegations of child abuse by a former cathedral dean found "systemic failures" by the Church of England.

The report said Lord Hope failed to follow policy and take advice after he was told of complaints against Robert Waddington relating to boys in Manchester and Australia, between 1984 and 1993.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the investigation had been prompted by publication of a report into how the allegations were handled, which was commissioned by the current Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and carried out by Judge Sally Cahill QC.

Judge Cahill QC said Lord Hope’s actions meant "opportunities were missed" to start an investigation which may have led to a prosecution before Waddington’s death in 2007.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "North Yorkshire Police has begun an investigation into the Church of England's handling of allegations of historic child abuse that were made against the Reverend Robert Waddington, who died in 2009.

"The investigation is at an early stage and, at this point in time, it has not been determined whether any criminal offence has been committed."

The force is consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on how to proceed.