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.

Support continues to be offered to those who have come forward.