THE Church of Scotland has sacked one of its youngest ministers after women came forward with complaints.

Elijah Wade Smith, 32, was ordained as the Minister of Word and Sacrament at Queen’s Park Govanhill Parish Church in Glasgow in January 2015. Last week, he was asked to leave his position.

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Our sister title The National reports that several women had complained about Smith - and that he had been accused of abusing his position.

A special committee of the Presbytery of Glasgow looked into the allegations, and, after a lengthy process, upheld the complaint.

A Church of Scotland spokeswoman said: “A Presbyterial commission was convened to consider complaints against Dr Elijah Smith who was then minister at Queen’s Park Church, Govanhill.

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“The complaints were upheld and a sentencing hearing was held on Wednesday, May 15. The decision of the Church court was to remove Dr Smith’s status as a minister.”

Smith, from California, can appeal the decision.

He declined to comment.