Presbyterian Churches told to 'preserve' documents for police investigation

Presbyterian Churches have been told not to destroy any information that police in Northern Ireland may require as part of their safeguarding investigation.

A senior church official has written to congregations outlining the need to "preserve" documentation.

The move comes as Presbyterians from both sides of the Irish border prepare to meet in Belfast on Wednesday for a special meeting, the second since revelations about safeguarding failings emerged in November.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is looking into safeguarding concerns at the church.

The investigation followed a church admission of "serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from the period 2009 to 2022".

A church spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that, at the request of the PSNI, an email was sent requesting "that all congregations take immediate steps to preserve all church documentation and material relating to their safeguarding activities".

At Wednesday's meeting, elders and ministers will consider changing part of the church's leadership structure.

They will discuss a proposal to split a key senior position into two jobs.

There is a recommendation that the combined role of General Secretary and Clerk of the General Assembly should be separated.

It is one of a number of proposals due to be debated at the day-long meeting.

The convener of the church's general council, the Very Rev Dr David Bruce, is due to address the meeting.

Speaking beforehand, he said: "As we move forward from November's announcement of our central safeguarding failures, and decisions taken at our December special general assembly, it is important that we update the church on what has been done in the intervening weeks, and this will be part of my report."

He added: "In all that we do, we remain deeply mindful of those who have been hurt or harmed as a result of our failings."

As well as the police investigation, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has launched an inquiry into the church.

The Rev Trevor Gribben was until recently the head of the church, known as moderator.

He stepped down at the end of November saying that although he had not been directly responsible for the delivery of safeguarding, some of the failings happened when he held senior positions within the church.

Wednesday's meeting is being held at the church's headquarters in central Belfast starting at 11:00 GMT.