The appalling abuse committed by former Church of England rector David Tudor, highlighted in today’s BBC File on Four documentary, is a grievous breach of trust and we commend the courage of those survivors who came forward aware of the retraumatising affects this has had on their lives.

The BBC Programme reveals a catalogue of past safeguarding decisions, that allowed someone who was considered a risk in the 1980s to return to ministry in the 1990s. This should never have happened.

David Tudor who has most recently served in the diocese of Chelmsford, was suspended by the former Bishop of Chelmsford in 2019 following new information, and was prohibited from ministry for life by a Bishops Disciplinary Tribunal in October. The prohibition followed a full admission of guilt to disclosures of serious sexual abuse that were brought as a disciplinary complaint, relating to the time when he was a priest in the Diocese of Southwark and includes serious sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old.

Safeguarding decisions and all appointments today are subject to very clear guidance issued by the House of Bishops, which was not in place at the 1990s. It is currently being strengthened further. This involves a clear process, both around safer recruitment and in assessing risk, even when no further action is taken by statutory services, to ensure the Church is a safe place for all.

The current Bishops of Chelmsford and Southwark have apologised for the hurt and harm caused by his offences and an independent Safeguarding Practice Review will now take place to ensure lessons are learnt from this case.

Support continues to be offered to the survivors and those affected by this case.

The Tribunal’s Judgement can be read in full on the Church of England Website

Statement from Diocese of Chelmsford

Statement from Diocese of Southwark

Reporting a concern, allegation or disclosure

If you have a concern, allegation or disclosure relating to this case – or any safeguarding matter – a list of people and organisations that can offer support is below:

• Diocese of Southwark Safeguarding Team – safeguarding@southwark.anglican.org
  0207 939 9441 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
  020 3874 6743 (out of hours)
• Diocese of Chelmsford – 01245 29 44 44 or email safeguarding@chelmsford.anglican.org
• Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.

Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
Email: SafeSpaces@FirstLight.org.uk
WebChat – via the Safe Spaces website

Further support services 

Comment

A personal statement has been issued by the Archbishop of York, (16 December 2024).

The CDM Decision was in the public domain in October 2024. The Tribunal determined that the appropriate penalty was Prohibition for Life, and the inevitable consequence of that finding was Removal from Office. It therefore imposed both penalties.