Cardinal George Pell leaves prison after high court quashes conviction – latest news | Australia news

A reflection from the Guardian’s David Marr, who will be providing analysis later today.

“We await the court’s reasons but the trial is over and now the opera begins – as George Pell’s supporters represent him as the greatest Catholic martyr in the history of the nation. It’s going to be quite a day.”

The prime minister has started speaking in Canberra. The purpose of his press conference is to discuss the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but if he addresses the high court decision we will bring you those comments.

Let’s recap some of today’s developments.

• George Pell has left prison and is a free man after the high court quashed his convictions for child sexual assault
• In a statement, Pell said he held no “ill will” towards his accuser and has thanked family, friends and supporters
• The federal attorney-general Christian Porter will now consider whether he can release a previously redacted section of the final report of the royal commission into child sexual abuse
• The archbishop of Melbourne said court outcome should end “an intense and painful time for all those personally involved”.
• The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, made no comment on the decision but said his message to every abuse victim was “I believe you”.

The clergy victims’ group Snap said it was “disappointed that Cardinal George Pell has successfully escaped his conviction on sexually abusing two choirboys and will be freed from prison”.

The organisation said that its “hearts ache” for the surviving choir boy and that it hoped the court’s decision did not “does not deter other victims from coming forward to report their abuse”.

But the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests added: “We believe that this ruling will make others lose their faith in the criminal justice system and will send the message that survivors should stay hidden and silent rather than come forward and seek justice.”

The prime minister is addressing the media at Parliament House at 1.15pm. He will no doubt be asked to comment on the high court’s decision.

Andrew Bolt told Sky News earlier that Pell will be going to a “place of refuge that has been offered to him” to “contemplate”.

Bolt says that Pell will then give what will likely be his only interview to him on Sky News.

The archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, says George Pell has always maintained his innocence and today’s decision “confirms his conviction was wrong”.

“I am pleased that the cardinal will now be released and I ask that the pursuit of him that brought us to this point now cease.”

Porter has also told media that the release of the un-redacted royal commission report is up to him, but he would first consult with relevant parties and only do so with care and caution.