David Tudor case: Statement from lead safeguarding bishop

The abuse by David Tudor is an appalling breach of trust. We must recognise the courage of those who have come forward, their voices heard so powerfully today in the BBC documentary. As the Church of England statement says, David Tudor should never have been allowed back into ministry, after he was known to be a risk in the 1990s. I know that, since new information came to light, both the National Safeguarding Team and the diocesan teams in Southwark and Chelmsford have worked tirelessly to ensure he was brought to justice through the Church’s complaints process. I am truly sorry for the lifelong effect the actions of David Tudor have had on his victims.

This case is a reminder that victims and survivors want – and deserve – a better response. The Church must further change and improve its processes and structures. I will be bringing proposals to our General Synod in February about independent oversight of scrutiny, audit, and complaints as well as of operational safeguarding. This will be a timely debate and vote which I know will be taken very seriously.

However, alongside better safeguarding structures which are already being revised, we need issues of clergy conduct more broadly to be tackled. This must include better use of effective disciplinary and capability processes, and the proper use of risk assessment so that people are not allowed to continue in ministry when unacceptable risk is present. In order to ensure that expectations around clergy behaviour are managed robustly and effectively, I would also like to see changes to clergy terms of service, and the setting up of an office for professional conduct in ministry. The Clergy Conduct Measure, to replace the Clergy Discipline Measure which was criticised by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, is due to receive final approval at our General Synod in February. We must work tirelessly for a change in culture so that church communities are healthy and safe for everyone.