The Church of England says a review into its handling of the case of abusive former priest David Tudor is not expected to be published until early 2027.

The Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR) was commissioned in November 2025 to examine the lessons to be learned and improve outcomes for victims and survivors.

Tudor was banned from ministry for life in 2024 after he admitted serious sexual abuse against two complainants aged 15 and 16, relating to the time when he was a priest in the Diocese of Southwark. The offences took place between 1982 and 1989.

Earlier this year, he received a second lifetime ban from ministry after a tribunal found he had “more likely than not” had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old-girl in Surrey in the 1980s.

A police investigation into the case is ongoing and in a statement today, the Church of England said while the review is “in the final stages of legal due diligence” and at the stage of giving a right of reply to all contributors, there is also “ongoing contact with the police, who requested a temporary pause to the review last year following the emergence of new information”.

The Safeguarding Practice Review Group (SPRG), which was convened to manage the progress of the review, said it recognised the need to be mindful of the status of the police investigation at the time of publication and whether it would risk jeopardising any judicial processes. If police ask for further delays to publication, it’s understood the SPRG may seek authority to publish an executive summary.

The statement added that throughout the process the SPRG has “remained committed to supporting victims and survivors, recognising the impact that delays and uncertainty can have, and ensuring they are kept informed about publication plans and next steps”.