The Bishop of Blackburn has called for major changes to the way clergy are appointed and managed in the wake of controversy over a Lancashire canon.

The Right Rev Philip North believes there needs to be fundamental changes to the way ministers are appointed following the case of Blackburn's Canon Andrew Hindley.

Canon Hindley, according to a risk assessment by the NSPCC, presented “a risk of significant harm to children and young people” and advised he “should have no unsupervised contact with children or young people”.

But he has denied any improper conduct and five police investigations failed to lead to any criminal charges.

An investigation by the BBC revealed Canon Hindley had been given an undisclosed pay-off following a High Court challenge to attempts by the Church of England to retire him on health grounds.

READ MORE: Church of England sorry for letting down abuse survivors after Blackburn canon payout

Bishop Philip, in an interview, insisted the Church was "hidebound by heavy legal structures and processes many of which are not fit for purpose".

"There must be learning from this case, and that learning must result in change. Without real change, any apology is empty and hypocritical," he added.

Bishop Philip said he was 'alarmed' at the fact he could mandate a risk assessment for a priest - but had no legal authority to act on any conclusions.

He also criticised a 2014 General Synod decision which prevented bishops from removing clergy who posed a safeguarding risk.

Bishop Philip questioned the 'freehold' previously enjoyed by clergy, replaced by a common tenure in 2009, which he said was "at odds" with "a modern safeguarding culture".

He argues the best way forward would be for clergy to become employees of the Diocesan Board of Finance - meaning any disciplinary matters would be dealt with as a human resources issues rather than invoking "long and clumsy" legal structures.

Bishop Philip is also supportive of a new 'Clergy Conduct Measure' replacing a 'Clergy Discipline Measure' but insists this must be supported by administering cases "in a timely way" while making "just and fair determinations", subject to a proper appeals procedure.

He added: "Along with colleagues, I will be seeking ways to explore and advance these goals.

"Unless there is change, the suffering of victims and survivors of this and other cases will continue."

Canon Hindley's cases prompted an apology from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

The canon has insisted his treatment was part of a campaign to drive him from the church, arguing it was motivated by homophobia and personal agendas, and he felt the church had “allowed its safeguarding procedures to be hijacked, weaponised and misused”.