Update 2 September 2025
Final call for evidence
The Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR), jointly commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team and the dioceses of Chelmsford and Southwark to look at the lessons to be learnt from the Church’s handling of the David Tudor case, is drawing to a conclusion. The independent reviewers Sue Williams and Richard Norfolk have asked that any final evidence to be submitted relating to the case should be done so by Friday 19 September. Survivors have been informed of this update. Please email the independent reviewers direct:
Update 1 April 2024
A Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR) has been jointly commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team and the Dioceses of Chelmsford and Southwark to look at the lessons to be learnt from the Church’s handling of the David Tudor case.
David Tudor, a former Rector in Chelmsford Diocese, was prohibited from ministry for life in October 2024 following two complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure. The penalty imposed followed a full admission of guilt to disclosures of serious sexual abuse from the two complainants, relating to the time when he was a priest in the Diocese of Southwark.
The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, welcomed the Review saying, “This much-needed Safeguarding Practice Review will help us to understand and learn from the past so that we may strengthen our safeguarding work for the future. As a diocese, we are committed to engaging fully with the Review and we will take any recommendations it makes very seriously.”
As the House of Bishops guidance (Code) states, a SPR is a process to improve safeguarding practice through learning, particularly outcomes for victims and survivors. 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 under the Responding guidance.
The SPR will examine the allegations against David Tudor, how the Church handled them over a long period of time and how it responded to victims and survivors. The reviewer will then apply the learning from this to improve practice and safeguarding arrangements in the Church of England, these findings will be contained in the final report which will be published.
As per guidance an independent reviewer with relevant expertise and experience has been appointed. Sue Williams, a former Commander in the Met Police has now started work, and the Terms of Reference have been agreed with the advisory group overseeing the process, made up of safeguarding professionals, an independent panel member and includes input from victims and survivors. Sue Williams will be assisted by former senior police officer Richard Norfolk.
SPRs, formerly known as lessons learnt reviews, were set up under the new Safeguarding Code of Practice approved at General Synod in July 2023.
Support continues to be offered to those who have come forward.
Support
If anyone has a concern about this situation – or any safeguarding matter – list of people and organisations that can offer support is below:
[email protected]
0207 939 9441 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm)
- Safe Spaces
A free and independent national helpline run by First Light for anyone who has been abused through their relationship with the church - Thirtyone:eight
An independent, non-denominational Christian safeguarding charity providing a wide range of support including an open-access helpline
0303 003 1111 - Survivors Voices
A survivor-led organisation that runs peer support groups for victim-survivors of all kinds of abuse, including faith-based abuse.
A fuller list of support organisations can be found on the Church of England website here.
