A complaint against the next Archbishop of Canterbury over her handling of an abuse allegation is being formally considered by Church of England officials.

The Right Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, who is six weeks away from taking up her new post, is accused of improperly dealing with a claim of abuse against a priest in the capital, where she still serves as Bishop of London.

The complaint could lead to a disciplinary tribunal if it were taken forward by the church authorities.

Mullally’s predecessor, the Right Rev Justin Welby, formally stood down in January after a report criticised his handling of a safeguarding allegation. Mullally is under pressure to restore trust in the church’s ability to protect people from abuse when she takes office on January 28.

Officials at Lambeth Palace have conceded that the complaint against her should have been considered as long ago as 2020, noting: “Due to administrative errors and an incorrect assumption about the individual’s wishes, the complaint was not taken forward or appropriately followed up.”

A palace spokesman added: “The provincial registrar has apologised to those involved and urgent arrangements are now being made for the complaint to be considered according to the relevant statutory process.”

Mullally said on Wednesday that the complainant, known only as N, had been “let down by the processes of the Church of England”. She said his allegation against the priest had been “fully dealt with” but “it is clear that a different complaint he subsequently made against me personally in 2020 was not properly dealt with”.

The deputy provincial registrar for Canterbury will assess whether the complaint qualifies to be dealt with under the church’s clergy discipline measure. Their verdict will be sent to the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, who will then rule on whether to dismiss the complaint or request a formal response from Mullally.

Cottrell can decide to take no further action, refer the matter to a conciliator, impose a penalty or send the complaint to be investigated by a church tribunal. This can dismiss the case or impose penalties ranging from a rebuke to a lifetime bar from ministry.

The complainant alleges that when his initial report of abuse was brought to Mullally’s attention as Bishop of London she contacted the priest involved about the allegations, breaching the church’s disciplinary protocols.

Read it all in The Times