David Fletcher, a central figure in the cover-up of John Smyth’s horrific abuses, sexually abused several girls and young women over many years, it has been revealed.
Three women - two of them sisters - have described the abuse and misogyny carried out by Fletcher. ‘Jeni’ described him as being ‘like the spider in the web’ and added: ‘This man needs to be named and shamed, and I don't want to carry that shame any longer.’
Fletcher died three years ago. He was a friend of the late John Smyth, son of a peer and rector at St Ebbe's, Oxford from 1986 to 1998. He also led the Iwerne camps for 20 years to 1986 - where he allegedly continued abusing victims.
Speaking to Channel 4 news, Jeni described how Fletcher groomed her from the age of 13. His abusive behaviour escalated; and in 1980, when she was nearly 17, Fletcher sexually assaulted her in his parents’ swimming pool.
Jeni did not report the incident to the police. ‘I felt I wouldn’t be believed,’ she said.
Cover-up
The latest revelations follow the publication of the Makin review into Smyth, a former chair of Iwerne Trust who horrifically abused more than 100 boys and young men over many years.
Fletcher met with the Makin reviewers in January 2020 and told them he had been warned of Smyth’s abusive conduct in 1982. A list of victims was compiled. But Fletcher and a small group of other Iwerne people kept the abuse secret. Makin said this clearly amounted to a cover-up by senior people with influence in the Church of England (CofE).
Commenting on the cover-up, Jeni said: ‘All the abuse that he's been carrying out would come to light, and I think they were all just protecting themselves.’
It was not until the Makin review was published that Jeni realised she was not Fletcher’s only victim.
Two sisters, speaking anonymously to C4, had initially considered ‘the Fletcher household as a refuge’; but their concerns about Fletcher’s behaviour quickly mounted from the age of around 13.
‘Ali’ said Fletcher’s abuse continued at the Irwene camps where she attended in the 1970s and 1980s. She added: ‘He was extraordinarily influential. I mean, he was the person who decided who came to camp, and he exercised that authority with a fairly iron grip. He was definitely the conductor of the orchestra.’
Ali said she reported Fletcher and Smyth to Hampshire police in April 2018, when both were still alive, but ‘heard nothing more’.
Her sister expressed her ongoing fear of Fletcher - despite his death: ‘Even now I'd be too scared to say anything. He really scares me even now.’
A statement from the CofE confirmed that following the Makin Review, the National Safeguarding Team and Diocese of Oxford ‘received information of sexual abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour’ concerning Fletcher towards women and girls’. It has been reported to the police.
Fletcher remained a member of the St Ebbe’s congregation until his death. A statement from its present leadership said they were ‘shocked’ at the allegations. However, they said they had received reports from two women about Fletcher’s behaviour since 2017, which were referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
They added: 'In the light of the 31:8 review into the abuses of Jonathan Fletcher, the PCC conducted a review into our governance, including safeguarding procedures, and a culture review. This has led to an ongoing process of cultural reflection; we are also in the process of considering the lessons and recommendations of the Makin Review. We are committed to doing all we can to make St Ebbe’s a safe and healthy community.’
The CofE has urged anyone affected by this or seeking pastoral support to contact safeguarding@churchofengland.org, or safeguarding@Oxford.anglican.org. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can seek support through Safe Spaces, an independent service provided by the church.
