Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing mounting calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case involving priest David Tudor, whose decades-long record of abuse and safeguarding breaches has been revealed through a BBC investigation. The controversy erupts as Cottrell prepares to assume temporary leadership of the Church of England in the coming months.
While serving as Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell allowed Tudor to remain in ministry despite Tudor’s history of sexual abuse allegations, a criminal conviction, and restrictions barring him from being alone with children. Critics, including senior Church figures and survivors, argue that Cottrell failed to take decisive action despite being fully aware of Tudor’s past.
A History of Abuse
David Tudor worked for the Church of England for over 46 years, serving in London, Surrey, and Essex. He was known for his charismatic preaching and eventually rose to honorary canon. As BBC reported, below are the serious allegations that Tudor is facing.
- In 1988, Tudor was tried for indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl, though acquitted after admitting to sex with her at age 16.
- Later in the same year, he was convicted in a second trial for indecently assaulting three girls and jailed for six months. The conviction was quashed on a technicality.
- In 1989, he was banned from ministry for sexual misconduct by a Church tribunal but was reinstated in 1994.
- In 2008, Tudor was placed under a safeguarding agreement preventing him from being alone with children or entering schools. Despite this, he was later appointed area dean.
A BBC File on 4 investigation found that in 2012, Cottrell was informed about a £10,000 compensation payment Tudor made to a woman, Jessica (BBC changed her real name), who accused him of violent sexual abuse when she was 11. Tudor admitted no liability, but Jessica says, “Nobody would make a payment if they haven’t got something to hide.”
As per BBC report, Jessica criticized Cottrell for his inaction, said, “I feel like he [Stephen Cottrell] has spat in my face. He should leave the Church.”
Calls for Resignation
The Bishop of Newcastle, Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, has been vocal in her criticism, asserting that Cottrell’s response was inadequate. “It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on,” she told the BBC, adding, “How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution with that?”
Hartley also condemned Tudor’s appointment as honorary canon in 2012, calling it “ludicrous” and “simply not good enough.” She said, “You are absolutely uplifting somebody’s ministry as an example and a model of good and best practice, and you’re celebrating that actually by making them an honorary canon.”
Cottrell’s office acknowledged that the decision was regrettable but explained that the appointment was due to a Church policy change that automatically elevated area deans to honorary canon.
The case has further intensified scrutiny on the Church of England’s handling of abuse cases. The controversy follows the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby after a damning report on abuse cover-ups involving barrister John Smyth. Cottrell is set to temporarily assume Welby’s role early next year.
The BBC investigation revealed that Welby himself, along with former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, had previous involvement in Tudor’s case. Welby received complaints in 2018 questioning why Tudor was still in ministry but responded that the matter had been reviewed.
Former Archbishop George Carey, meanwhile, allowed Tudor to return to ministry in 1994 and agreed to remove his name from Church disciplinary records in 1996. Carey said he does not remember Tudor’s name, but the Church acknowledged such decisions were “neither sufficient nor survivor-focused.”
At least seven women have accused Tudor of abuse, with some receiving significant compensation from the Church. Debbie (BBC did not reveal her real name), one of Tudor’s victims from the 1988 trial, described living with shame for over 40 years and suffering complex PTSD. She criticized the Church’s actions, told, “It felt like he was protected. It was just so wrong.”
The Church of England issued an apology, acknowledging “a catalogue of past safeguarding decisions, that allowed someone considered a risk in the 1980s to return to ministry in the 1990s.” It added, “This should never have happened.” Stephen Cottrell’s office maintains that legal constraints prevented him from taking earlier action, but survivors and critics insist his response failed to meet the Church’s moral obligations.
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