EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Justin Welby’s past association with serial abuser could have jeopardised the royal knighthood he was awarded for presiding at King Charles’ Coronation

Justin Welby‘s past association with serial abuser John Smyth could have jeopardised the royal knighthood he was awarded for presiding at King Charles‘ Coronation. 

My well-placed source whispers that Welby’s former links to Smyth and the ongoing inquiries into his abusive behaviour led courtiers to red-flag the King’s nomination of Welby to the Knight of the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in the New Year Honours. 

The unanswered questions would probably have caused any other gong to be at least paused by the honours scrutiny committee. 

However, the King doesn’t need to consult anyone about handing-out the RVO and decided to ignore courtiers’ warnings.

Justin Welby ‘s past association with serial abuser John Smyth could have jeopardised the…