The Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised “wholeheartedly for the damage” his ultimate speech within the Home of Lords induced.

In his feedback within the chamber on Thursday, Justin Welby drew laughter from some friends when he talked about a 14th-century beheading, however his phrases and the tone of his speech had been criticised by a bishop in addition to abuse survivors.

On Friday, he mentioned: “Yesterday, I gave my farewell speech within the Home of Lords, as a part of a debate on housing and homelessness.

“I wish to apologise wholeheartedly for the damage that my speech has induced.

“I perceive that my phrases – the issues that I mentioned, and people I omitted to say – have induced additional misery for many who had been traumatised, and proceed to be harmed, by John Smyth’s heinous abuse, and by the far-reaching results of different perpetrators of abuse.

“It didn’t intend to miss the expertise of survivors or to make gentle of the scenario – and I’m very sorry for having accomplished so.”