A THREE-YEAR police investigation into allegations made against the Team Rector of Canvey Island in Chelmsford diocese, Canon David Tudor, has concluded without charges being brought, it was confirmed this week.

Canon Tudor has been suspended from ministry since he was arrested in April 2019 on suspicion of indecent assault. The incident was alleged to have taken place in Redhill, Surrey, in 1983. He will not face further police action but will remain suspended by the Bishop of Chelmsford until a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) in the diocese of Southwark has been resolved.

Under the current system, a CDM investigation cannot begin until the police investigation has concluded. The CDM is currently undergoing reform, having widely considered to be deeply flawed by an inability to resolve cases quickly or sort allegations according to their seriousness (News, 13 July).

A spokesperson for Chelmsford diocese said on Wednesday: “The police investigation into allegations against David Tudor has now been concluded without charges being brought. David Tudor remains suspended from his role as Team Rector of the parish of Canvey Island by the Bishop of Chelmsford as he is the respondent in a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure in the diocese of Southwark, where the alleged misconduct is said to have taken place.

“This confidential process can now continue to determination. We continue to work closely with the relevant statutory authorities and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this case.”

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “The case against a 66-year-old man from Canvey, who was arrested in April 2019 on suspicion of indecent assault, has now been closed. He was arrested after we received a report of historic offences alleged to have taken place in Redhill in 1983.”

Southwark diocese and Canon Tudor have been approached for comment.