CofE abuse victim criticises bishop's 'no cover-up' response

A man sexually abused as child by an East Sussex vicar has criticised the Church of England for suggesting there was no cover-up or collusion by clergy.

The Bishop of Horsham, the Rt Rev Mark Sowerby, was speaking after retired clergyman Vickery House, 69, was jailed for six-and-a-half years for carrying out sex offences against a boy and three men in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr Sowerby said last week he had not yet been provided with evidence proving any cover-up by the Church..

Gary Johnson, who now lives in California and has waived his right to anonymity, said the comments were "outmoded, distasteful and only serve to traumatise victims".

Mr Johnson was among at least 10 victims of convicted paedophile the Reverend Roy Cotton, who died in 2006.

Cotton worked as a priest in Brede, near Rye, in the 1990s.

A total of 10 men connected with the Church in Sussex have now been proved to have been involved in sexual abuse, including former bishop Peter Ball.

Mr Johnson was speaking to BBC South East's Colin Campbell.

Correction 8 March 2016: This page has been amended following a finding by the BBC's Editorial Complaints Unit.