York Minster bellringers: archbishop called on to explain mass dismissal

Oct 26, 2016 by Jill

by Josh Halliday Guardian:

Dr John Sentamu challenged by lawyer for David Potter, banned from ringing for life, who says move is ‘breach of natural justice’.

The archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has been challenged to explain the dismissal of 30 volunteer bellringers from York Minster, amid claims the controversial move followed a long-running feud with the lead campanologist.

The lawyer for David Potter, who has been banned for life from ringing the famous bells, claimed the move by church officials amounted to a “breach of natural justice” and called on Sentamu to explain his claim that there was an ongoing inquiry into “safeguarding” issues at the cathedral.

Colin Byrne, of the law firm Howard & Byrne, said Sentamu’s assertion contradicted a letter he received in September from a minster canon saying: “The matter is closed.”

The row comes after Potter and his 30-strong bellringing team were dismissed at short notice over safeguarding concerns, causing an outcry in York where the bells will be silent until the new year.

The mass dismissal has brought to the surface a 17-year-old saga that centres on Potter, a leading figure in the bellringing team who was the subject of two police investigations following allegations made in 1999 and 2015. On neither occasion were charges brought.

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Watch: Kevin Kallsen and The Revd Peter Ould discuss this sorry saga.