There has been “a culture of indifference towards safeguarding” at one of Northern Ireland’s biggest and best-known churches, according to a critical report seen by BBC News NI.

The report followed an investigation into an “alleged incident of inappropriate behaviour by one of the senior leaders” at Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast.

It also looked at a number of other allegations, including one involving a sanitary towel with the words “No Surrender” on it being placed on the head of a member of the youth team.

In a statement Pastor David Purse, leader of the church, said “the report highlighted areas for improvement, which the board has since prioritised and implemented”.

BBC News NI also understands that a number of designated safeguarding officers at the church resigned due to what they allege is the failure of the leadership to properly address safeguarding concerns.

The safeguarding investigation was carried out by Pastor Nigel Elliott from the Elim Church and contained over 20 recommendations, half of which were identified as highly urgent.

Situated in north Belfast right beside the M2 motorway, Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle is seen by thousands of commuters to and from Belfast every day.

The distinctive building can hold around 2,500 people making it one of Northern Ireland’s biggest churches.

It was originally founded by Pastor James McConnell in 1957, in an Orange Hall on Whitewell Road.

Known for his fervent and outspoken style, Pastor McConnell led the church for over 60 years until his death in 2021.

He was succeeded by Pastor David Purse, although the church employs a number of pastors and staff.

The investigation was prompted by an “alleged incident of inappropriate behaviour by one of the senior leaders” in the church.

The senior leader is not named but is referred to as “WMT4” in the safeguarding report and details of the alleged incident, which took place at the Men’s Fellowship in June 2023, are included.

It was not however reported to the church until May 2024.

The safeguarding report, which was sent to the church in October 2024, found that “an incident of inappropriate behaviour occurred against a young man,” who the report refers to as “WMT1”.

“WMT1 told how he felt that WMT4 was ‘coming on to [him]’ and how this incident had ‘spooked him’ – making him ‘feel uncomfortable,’ the final report said.

It was alleged by WMT1 that the senior leader – WMT4 – had “put his hand across his back and then proceeded to run it down the centre of his back to the top of his waist”.

WMT1 also alleged that another incident had taken place at a bible study when WMT4 had made a comment about “sex on the table”.

WMT4 denied that the alleged incidents had occurred but accepted “there were occasions when he had put his hand on WMT1’s shoulders”.

However, the investigation report concluded that “it is my view that inappropriate behaviours did occur which made WMT1 feel ‘uncomfortable’ and which also ‘spooked’ him.”

But the report said the leader had “remained in post and to the best of my knowledge has continued to carry out his duties within Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle.”

BBC News NI has established the identity of WMT4 and contacted them for a response.

However, in a statement they told the BBC they were unable to comment “for legal reasons”.

Concerns were also raised about a member of the church’s youth team.

These included “an incident when a sanitary towel (with the words “No Surrender” written on it) was allegedly placed on the head of a member of the youth team”.

A church deacon also reported seeing WMT4 patting a member of the youth team “on the bottom in the church”.

“I am deeply concerned by the culture which appears to exist in Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle,” the safeguarding report said.

“This investigation has identified significant work which needs to be carried out urgently in the area of safeguarding within Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle”.

“There appears to be a culture of indifference towards safeguarding within Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle.”

The final report contained over 20 recommendations, half of which were identified as highly urgent.

It found, for example, that the church’s child protection policy was “incomplete and needs to be urgently reviewed,” and that there was no clear understanding of who needed to have an Access NI check.

BBC News NI put a range of questions to Pastor David Purse, the leader of Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle.

In response, BBC News NI received a statement from Pastor David Purse and the trustees of the church.

“In May 2024, a safeguarding concern was reported by an adult male member of the church congregation, involving a member of church staff,” the statement said.

“He alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’.”

“During a pool match with others present in the church recreation area, he stated that the male staff member had placed a hand on his back, brushing it downwards and stopping above the waistband.”

“He said that this had made him feel uncomfortable.”

The statement said that the matter was taken seriously and that the church commissioned an independent investigation.

“The independent report concluded that ‘inappropriate behaviour’ did occur, based on the fact that it had made the complainant feel uncomfortable, and regardless of whether this was intentional or unintentional,” it continued.

“There was no recommendation by the investigator that the staff member should be stood down during or after the investigation.”

“When the investigation was completed, the two parties met and an apology was given and accepted.”

“As part of his report, the external investigator assessed the church’s existing safeguarding policies and procedures.”

“The report highlighted areas for improvement, which the Board has since prioritised and implemented, including recruitment and training of a new safeguarding team.”

The statement said that the trustees were confident the church had robust safeguarding structures and policies in place.

A number of the safeguarding officers provided a statement to BBC News NI, in which they said they had stepped down due to “the church’s ongoing lack of meaningful cooperation and long-standing disregard for proper safeguarding practices”.

They said that the safeguarding report had confirmed that an incident did occur, “highlighting the long-term impact on the victim and reinforcing the need for urgent action”.

“Shockingly, the senior pastor met privately with both the victim and the perpetrator without informing the safeguarding team breaching safeguarding protocols and common sense,” they continued.

“Whitewell did not share the report with the victim or reach out to discuss its findings.

“He had to submit a Subject Access Request after waiting nine months to receive a redacted version.

“This lack of transparency denied him closure and violated basic safeguarding principles.

“We believe the current trustees are not fit for purpose.”

They said the church’s failure to act “has seriously damaged trust and governance”.

“No last minute safeguarding updates can undo the harm caused by years of inaction and ineptitude,” the statement continued.

“The Whitewell Board of Trustees must now answer serious questions and seriously consider their positions.”

BBC News NI put the resignations and the reasons behind them to Pastor Purse and the church trustees – their response did not address these issues.

The PSNI said they “are investigating three reports of non-recent sexual assault connected to a church in north Belfast.

“Officers are liaising with the church’s safeguarding team as they carry out their enquiries.

“As these investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

They also said that “all reports of sexual offences, no matter when they are alleged to have occurred, are taken extremely seriously and investigated thoroughly.”