Cardinal Keith O’Brien finances ‘examined’

A FORMER priest whose allegations of sexual misconduct led to the resignation of Cardinal Keith O’Brien has claimed the financial management of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh during the disgraced archbishop’s tenure, is now under ­scrutiny.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, pictured in 2007. Picture: Jane Barlow

Archbishop Leo Cushley, who succeeded Cardinal O’Brien, has agreed to an investigation of the ­financial transactions according to “Lenny”, a former priest who said he had been the victim of an “abusive” sexual relationship with the cardinal.

The former priest said he and the other three diocesan priests whose allegations brought down the cardinal in February last year were now anxious to ensure there had been no mismanagement of church funds.

In an interview Lenny said he would have contacted the charity regulator if Cushley had not launched an investigation.

Last night, a spokesman for the Catholic Church could not confirm if Archbishop Cushley had undertaken a financial audit of Cardinal O’Brien’s tenure. However, he said: “Archbishop Cushley has listened to the ­parties concerned and will transmit any information to the Holy See.

“Any decision on further action will rest with the Holy See.”