George Carey, who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1991 to 2002, resigned as a priest in December after media reports that he allowed the Rev. David Tudor, who had been banned over sexual abuse claims, to return to the priesthood in the 1990s.

The Church of England will seek to bring disciplinary proceedings against 10 clerics including former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, it said on Tuesday, acting on recommendations from a damning abuse report last year.

The Church of England says it is initiating disciplinary proceedings against 10 members of clergy following a review of evidence in the report into the prolific abuser, John Smyth. Among those facing action are former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and Rev Andrew Cornes - who was due to be on the committee picking the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

Former archbishop of Canterbury George Carey is among a number of clergy facing possible disciplinary action after a damning abuse report which prompted Justin Welby's resignation.