Canvey ward in limbo as David Tudor suspended

The Venerable Canon David Tudor was arrested in April 2019. The investigation was closed by police in August 2022 and no charges were brought against Mr Tudor.

Despite this, Mr Tudor remains suspended as minister of Canvey parish, with church leaders saying this is due to an ongoing investigation by the Church of England.

The Diocese of Chelmsford could not give a timetable for the completion of the investigation.

A spokesman said: “David Tudor remains suspended from his role as team minister of Canvey Island Parish while he remains under investigation under the clergy disciplinary process.

“We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.”

Former councillor Ray Howard MBE believes the island’s Christian community has been left “in limbo” as a result of the suspension.

He said: “As long as this process continues, we will not get a new priest. Everyone is affected by it.”

“It’s a joke, although I don’t blame the Diocese of Chelmsford. We tried to tackle it.

“Canvey council is really the loser at the moment and I find that disappointing.

“It’s sad that this matter has taken so long and they won’t allow us to move forward. I think it’s a disgrace, just a real disgrace.”

Mr Tudor has been vicar of St Nicholas Church since 2006 and it is alleged the offence took place in the 1980s.

Mr Howard added that he had spoken to bishops in Chelmsford on Mr Tudor’s behalf and “made his views known, as have many others”.

“We have tried absolutely everything at this point, which only adds to the shame I feel for his family,” he said.

“It’s very sad.”

In 2008, Mr Tudor was appointed Regional Dean of Hadleigh, covering an area stretching from Canvey through Castle Point to Leigh, Westcliff and the parish of St Laurence, Eastwood.