Tudor Safeguarding Practice Review

04/04/2025

The Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR) to look at the lessons to be learnt from the Church’s handling of the David Tudor case was jointly commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team and the dioceses of Chelmsford and Southwark in April 2025. 
 
 
September 2026 update

The Safeguarding Practice Review Group, SPRG, has provided a further update on timings.  At their most recent meeting, SPRG members acknowledged the importance of providing timely clarity to victims and survivors. Given the continuing legal process and ongoing police investigation, members agreed to communicate at this stage that the final version of the review is not expected to be ready for publication until early 2027. See full statement.  

June 2026 update
The independent reviewers have completed the first draft of the Safeguarding Practice Review, SPR, relating to the David Tudor case. Survivors have been informed that it is now in the final process of due diligence, which includes the right of reply for all contributors. This is an important and necessary part of conducting the SPR process fairly, correctly and transparently.  The review, which was temporarily halted due to new police information, is expected to be ready for publication in the latter part of 2026. Contact with the police is ongoing and there will be further information on publication when the current process is near completion. Support continues to be offered to all the survivors the Church is in contact with.
 
November 2025 update
The David Tudor Safeguarding Practice Review, commissioned by the National Safeguarding Team, NST and the dioceses of Southwark and Chelmsford, has extended beyond the initially planned six-month deadline due to new police information. It is now expected to be completed in the early part of 2026. Survivors have been updated on this and support continues to be offered.
 
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:
[email protected]
[email protected]
 
Original announcement April 2025
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.

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.

Finding support

If you or anyone you are in contact with is affected by this update and would like to talk to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit Safe Spaces Website.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team in your area or the National Safeguarding Team at [email protected].