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Newly uncovered information has shown that a Church of England priest involved in a sexual abuse case was given a senior role twice more under the leadership of the Archbishop of York during his time as Bishop of Chelmsford. The BBC’s previous investigation revealed how David Tudor remained in his post for nine years after concerns were raised about him. The investigation highlights that Tudor’s status as area dean in Essex was renewed by the Archbishop of York in 2013 and 2018, at which times the Archbishop was aware that Tudor had paid compensation to a victim of abuse. The Archbishop has expressed regret over his handling of the case and acknowledged that it “could have been handled differently.”
Rachel Ford, a victim of Tudor’s abuse, criticized the renewal of Tudor’s contract as area dean as an “insult to all of his victims.” Ms. Ford added that, if the Archbishop of York is to blame, it reinforces her belief that he should resign. The Archbishop of York’s position may come under further pressure following the report into the Church of England’s cover-up of prolific abuse by John Smyth, which led to the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The Archbishop of York will serve as Archbishop of Canterbury in the interim for a few months in the New Year before his formal appointment in July.
The BBC’s investigation revealed that Tudor had been convicted of indecently assaulting three underage girls and was jailed for six months in 1988, although the conviction was later quashed. Tudor served a five-year ban from ministry. Additionally, Tudor had paid £10,000 in compensation to one woman who said that he had sexually abused her when she was 11. In 2018, the Church of England was obliged to give a six-figure payout and an apology to another alleged victim. Despite this, Tudor was only suspended in 2019 following a police investigation.
When the Archbishop of York became bishop in 2010, Tudor was the area dean for 12 parishes in Essex. His appointment to the post had already happened, despite him working under a safeguarding agreement that prevented him from being alone with children and entering schools. Tudor’s status as area dean was twice renewed under the Archbishop’s leadership in 2013 and 2018. The Archbishop of York’s office has taken responsibility for Tudor’s reappointment, stating that “no one advised him that David Tudor should not continue as an Area Dean.” The office also stressed that Tudor’s status as honorary canon should not be interpreted as a promotion or a personal reward
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