A safeguarding review has been launched into the Church of England’s handling of the case of the disgraced priest David Tudor.
The review, which will examine lessons to be learned, has been jointly commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team and the dioceses of Chelmsford and Southwark.
David Tudor, a former rector in the Diocese of Chelmsford, was banned from ministry for life in October 2024 following two complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure. He admitted historical sex abuse allegations relating to two girls.
In December, a BBC investigation revealed that he had been allowed to stay in post even though senior clergy, including the current Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, had been aware of serious safeguarding concerns about him.
Tudor worked for the Church of England for more than 46 years and despite previously being suspended for abusing a 16-year-old girl, was reappointed twice during the archbishop's leadership as Bishop of Chelmsford.
Archbishop Cottrell has apologised but said it was “not possible” to remove Tudor until 2019.
A statement on the Church of England’s website said: “It is not a re-investigation of the case but if the review highlights serious safeguarding concerns relating to the practice of others then appropriate action will be taken.”
The Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR) is being led by Sue Williams, a former Commander in the Met Police, assisted by former senior police officer Richard Norfolk.
It will examine the allegations against Tudor, how the Church handled them over a long period of time and how it responded to victims and survivors.
Speaking about the SPR, the Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, said:
“There are important lessons that must be learned about how the David Tudor case was handled over many years. I am pleased that this Safeguarding Practice Review has now been commissioned. It will have our full support in Chelmsford Diocese and we are committed to learning from its outcomes and recommendations.”