Welsh primate 'next Archbishop of Canterbury'

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Rowan Williams, has been elected by the Church of England as its choice to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, according to a newspaper report published today.

Dr Williams was selected as the first choice of the Crown Appointments Commission after a two-day meeting last week, The Times said.

Tony Blair will now choose between Dr Williams and the committee’s second choice. Mr Blair’s decision will then pass to the Queen for approval before it is announced next month.

The Church of England dismissed the report as ‘‘speculation’’.

A spokesman said: ‘‘There’s no way of knowing. It must be speculation on the Times’ part. There has been no announcement.

‘‘The Church Appointments Commission never disclose who’s under consideration. There are any number of suitable and able candidates.’’

Dr Williams, who supports women and gay priests, would be the first archbishop appointed from outside the Church of England since the Reformation.

Whoever is chosen will succeed Dr George Carey when he retires on October 31.