The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case, days before he takes temporary charge of the Church of England.
As Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell let priest David Tudor remain in post in the diocese despite knowing he had been barred by the Church from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim, a BBC investigation reveals.
Tudor was only banned from ministry two months ago – after he admitted historical sex abuse allegations relating to two girls.
Since this article was first published, Mr Cottrell has responded saying he is “deeply sorry” that action could not be taken earlier, but that was the situation he inherited.
However, the Bishop of Newcastle the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley has said Mr Cottrell could have done more and should resign as archbishop.
“It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on,” she told BBC File on 4 Investigates.
“How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution with that?
“A woman who was paid £10,000 compensation by Tudor over claims he sexually abused her as a child says Mr Cottrell’s failure to act when he was told about the payment means he should “leave the Church”.
“I feel like he [Stephen Cottrell] has spat in my face,” says Jessica (not her real name).
The calls for Archbishop Cottrell to resign come at a time of turmoil in the Church of England following a damning report into how it covered up prolific abuse by the barrister John Smyth.
The report led to the resignation of the Church’s most senior figure, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Mr Cottrell will take over his role temporarily for a few months in the New Year.
The BBC can reveal that Mr Welby and a former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, were also involved in the Tudor case – Mr Welby in 2018 and Lord Carey in 1993.
At least seven women say they were abused by Tudor. One received six-figure compensation from the Church in 2019.
David McClenaghan, a partner at Bolt Burdon Kemp solicitors who brought the claim on behalf of the woman and who has supported other survivors of clerical abuse says “one of the most surprising aspects of this case was that they suspended him on full pay and over a period of time, funded his accommodation and lifestyle.
“Tudor worked for the Church of England for over 46 years, in London, Surrey and Essex, rising from curate to honorary canon. He gained a reputation for filling churches with his charismatic preaching.
He was an area dean on Canvey Island in Essex in 2010, when Stephen Cottrell became Bishop of Chelmsford – a position Mr Cottrell held for 10 years before becoming Archbishop of York.
During his first week in office, Mr Cottrell was fully briefed on the “longstanding safeguarding concerns” raised about Tudor, a spokesperson for the Archbishop said.