Victoria Climbie

The UCKG did not offer to exorcise Victoria Climbie. The truth is that UCKG was the only organisation to have taken action to help her. A Charity Commission investigation ascertained that there was no wrongdoing on the part of the church.

The facts are that the little girl attended the church with her aunt on three occasions, but we had very little contact with her. (Neither of them was known to us and they were not church members).

On one occasion, the aunt told a pastor that the child had some strange behaviour at home. The pastor was also told that the child was already receiving medical attention and that social services were involved. He therefore offered help in the form of prayer, to complement what he understood she was already receiving.

Another time they simply joined in the Sunday service together with hundreds of other people. On their last visit to the church, it was apparent that the child was ill as she was cold to the touch and, although conscious, looked very weak. UCKG ensured that a minicab was called to take her to the hospital. UCKG was the only organisation to provide help.

We totally condemn the abuse, bullying or torment of children and indeed, of adults of any age. Our Church has a formal Child Protection policy which states that we shall always put the child's interest and safety first. This was developed in conjunction with the Islington Area Child Protection Committee, which is a committee containing representatives of all major child welfare organisations in the borough.