The appointment of a man with 45 convictions as a lay pastor has prompted fresh demands for the publication of research into clerical abuse in faith-based settings. Alliance Party Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw highlighted the case as evidence of an urgent safeguarding failure.

Bradshaw said that the First Minister and deputy First Minister received the research a year ago but have not released it or taken any subsequent action. She called the delay intolerable and warned that vulnerable people, including children, remain at risk.

The South Belfast MLA urged the Executive Office to publish the report by the summer recess so it can be scrutinised. She also called for a comprehensive action plan to prevent similar incidents in the future.

She questioned whether there would be another comparable case in the coming weeks or months if no action is taken, stating that protecting vulnerable people from abuse should be a top priority.