DNA test reveals Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is illegitimate son of Sir Winston Churchill's private secretary

'I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes'

Archbishop Welby said the news 'does not change anything at all' (Reuters)

A DNA test has revealed that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is the illegitimate son of Sir Winston Churchill’s last private secretary.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby said in a statement that the identity of his father - which he only discovered a month ago - had come as “a complete surprise”.

He believed he was the son of Gavin Welby, who died in 1977 when Archbishop Welby was 21, and who was briefly married to his mother Jane.

But after being approached by the Daily Telegraph with research into his family background he discovered his father was actually Sir Anthony Montague Browne, who served Churchill in Downing Street - and who had a brief affair with Archbishop Welby's mother before she married Mr Welby Snr.


 Jane and Gavin Welby with their newly christened son Justin in 1956 
 (PA)

Jane Williams, now known as Lady Williams of Elvel following her remarriage, said the news had come as a “tremendous shock” as neither she or her former husband had doubted Archbishop Welby’s paternity.

In the statement, Archbishop Welby said: “This revelation has, of course, been a surprise, but in my life and in our marriage Caroline and I have had far worse. I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in him never changes.

“Even more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, which should be the main focus of our prayers.”

He revealed that his early years were “messy” because both of his parents were alcoholics.

He said his mother had managed to overcome her addiction and had not "touched alcohol for 48 years" - and he was "enormously proud of her" for it.

He said his father (Mr Welby Snr) tried to care for him "as far as he was able" but said his experience was "typical of many people".

“To find that one's father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other matters, is far too normal”, he explained.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, says he derives his identity 'from Jesus Christ', not who his father is (Reuters)

He said “nothing” had changed for him or and he “wasn’t in any way upset” by the revelation.

He added: “Although there are elements of sadness, and even tragedy in my father's (Gavin Welby’s) case, this is a story of redemption and hope from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives.

“It is a testimony to the grace and power of Christ to liberate and redeem us, grace and power which is offered to every human being.”

The revelation has meant that Archbishop Welby, who previously thought he was an only child, has gained an older half-sister, also called Jane.

There had been rumours surrounding Archbishop Welby’s paternity before - with Sir Montague Browne’s own widow suspecting he was her husband’s child because of the strong resemblance between the pair.

But Archbishop Welby said he had always dismissed this because he was born almost exactly nine months after his parents got married.

The revelation caused Lambeth Palace to check canon law as there was a rule for many centuries that illegitimate children could not become archbishops.

Fortunately a little known update to canon law was made in the fifties so Archbishop Welby can remain in his post.