Race to replace Justin Welby begins as archbishop formally steps down

Appointing new archbishop of Canterbury likely to take months after Welby's resignation over abuse scandal

Justin Welby will relinquish his role as archbishop of Canterbury at midnight on Monday, formally starting the firing gun in the search for a new de facto leader of the Church of England and the global Anglican church.

The process is expected to take months, with the name of the new archbishop unlikely to be announced until the autumn.