UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian
Sandra Laville
Tuesday 8 September 2015
The Church of England, the police and senior prosecutors are accused by victims of a former bishop who sexually abused more than 18 young men of presiding over an establishment cover-up that prevented him facing justice for decades.
Details of how Peter Ball, the former bishop of Lewes and Gloucester, escaped justice 22 years ago can finally be revealed after he pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of indecent assault and one charge of misconduct in public office, relating to the sexual abuse of 16 young men over a period of 15 years from 1977 to 1992.
Ball was not charged when the allegations of abuse against him first emerged in 1993. Instead the police and senior figures in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), then led by the late Barbara Mills, agreed to issue Ball with a caution. This was done with the knowledge of the then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey. Ball proceeded to resign as bishop and went to live in a property lent to him by his friend, the Prince of Wales.
Since 1993, those who accused Ball of abuse have struggled to be believed. Phil Johnson, who alleged 19 years ago that Ball had sexually abused him as a 13-year-old boy, said the last two decades amounted to an establishment cover-up.
“He is very well connected,” said Johnson. “There has been pressure on the police ever since 1993 when all this first emerged. It’s been going on for years.
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