An independent safeguarding organisation will carry out an external review within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) which will be “victim focused and trauma informed”, the Moderator of the religious body has confirmed.
The review - which was organised at the request of the Charity Commission - will be carried out by safeguarding group INEQE, who will examine the PCI’s governance and safeguarding arrangements.
It is expected to publish its findings in early 2027.
In 2025, the church announced that significant failings had been found in central safeguarding functions.
Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Trevor Gribben stood down last year after a review found “serious and significant failings” in the functions from 2009 to 2022.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) instigated a statutory inquiry within the church at the end of last year.
The review will be led by former NI detective Jim Gamble, who will be supported by a “multi-disciplinary team of professionals with deep expertise in social work criminal justice academia, the third sector and regulatory oversight,” according to a PCI spokesperson.
The church said he would be supported by a barrister-at-law and a former Assistant Director of the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The review will also cover “governance, accountability, oversight, personal sustainability”, in addition to policy in the church and operational practice.
Moderator for the PCI, Right Reverend Dr Richard Murray said it will be an “open and transparent review”.
“Over recent months, at the Charity Commission’s request, we have sought to identify and secure the independent expertise necessary to carry out an inquiry into our safeguarding and governance as part of the Commission’s statutory inquiry,” said Dr Murry.
“I am pleased to announce, therefore, the appointment of INEQE to undertake this review.
“The appointment is a genuine reflection of our total commitment to a credible, victim-centred, trauma-informed, open and transparent review, which will be conducted by a hugely respected safeguarding organisation, a leader in this field both in the UK and Ireland.
“From the outset we have stated publicly that we were fully committed to working with the Charity Commission to facilitate their inquiry and will cooperate fully in all aspects connected with it. On behalf of the Church, I give that same undertaking to INEQE.
“From the start we have committed ourselves to doing whatever is required to get things right and so regain the trust that we have lost, especially with regards to those who have been hurt or harmed by our failures.
“We believe that the appointment of INEQE will be an important step in this process.”
The Moderator also encouraged victims and survivors of abuse to contact the PSNI on 101, and seek help from Victims Support NI on 028 9013 0405.
The PCI’s Safeguarding Department can be reached on 028 9041 7234.