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Ladbrokes suspends betting on next archbishop of Canterbury Ladbrokes suspends betting on next archbishop of Canterbury
(about 1 hour later)
Leading bookmaker Ladbrokes has suspended betting on the next archbishop of Canterbury, saying that a "very significant move" in favour of the bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, suggested Rowan Williams could be succeeded by the former oil executive and Old Etonian.Leading bookmaker Ladbrokes has suspended betting on the next archbishop of Canterbury, saying that a "very significant move" in favour of the bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, suggested Rowan Williams could be succeeded by the former oil executive and Old Etonian.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding the appointment, which has resulted in the Church of England being criticised for persisting with a highly secretive method of choosing its next head, a spokesman for Ladbrokes said it had stopped taking bets on Tuesday after a sudden run of bets on Welby – two of them from new accounts – had raised speculation that he had been chosen. After weeks of uncertainty surrounding the appointment, which has resulted in the Church of England being criticised for persisting with a secretive method of choosing its next head, a spokesman for Ladbrokes said it had stopped taking bets on Tuesday after a sudden run of bets on Welby – two of them from new accounts – had raised speculation that he had been chosen.
Messages posted on Twitter by the bookmakers' account read: "Very significant move for Justin Welby to be next Archbishop of Canterbury... #holygamble...Money suggests that @Bishopofdurham has got the job."Messages posted on Twitter by the bookmakers' account read: "Very significant move for Justin Welby to be next Archbishop of Canterbury... #holygamble...Money suggests that @Bishopofdurham has got the job."
The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), the body responsible for choosing Williams's successor, has been unable to overcome internal wranglings in its attempts to settle on two names – a preferred option and a back-up. The Crown Nominations Commission, the body responsible for choosing Williams' successor, has been unable to overcome internal wranglings in its attempts to settle on two names – a preferred option and a back-up.
The commission of lay people and clergy had been expected to make an announcement in early October. Observers say that, in order to avoid embarrassment at Lambeth Palace, a successor will have to be unveiled before the General Synod meets for its most important session in years in less than two weeks' time. The commission of lay people and clergy had been expected to make an announcement in early October. Observers say that, in order to avoid embarrassment at Lambeth Palace, a successor will have to be announced before the General Synod meets for its most important session for years in less than two weeks.
When Ladbrokes closed its betting, the odds on Welby, 56, were 1-2. Close behind him was the bishop of Norwich, Graham James, and others including James Jones, the bishop of Liverpool, and John Inge, the bishop of Worcester.When Ladbrokes closed its betting, the odds on Welby, 56, were 1-2. Close behind him was the bishop of Norwich, Graham James, and others including James Jones, the bishop of Liverpool, and John Inge, the bishop of Worcester.
A spokesman for the diocese of Durham said Welby had been at a bishops' staff meeting and was unavailable for comment.A spokesman for the diocese of Durham said Welby had been at a bishops' staff meeting and was unavailable for comment.