Archbishop of York Faces Calls to Resign Over Handling of Sexual Abuse Case

Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is under pressure to resign after it emerged he mishandled a sexual abuse case involving a former priest. This comes just days before he is set to temporarily lead the Church of England.

As Bishop of Chelmsford, Cottrell allowed priest David Tudor to remain in his position despite knowing that Tudor had been banned by the Church from being alone with children and had previously paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

A BBC investigation has revealed that Cottrell was aware of these issues but took no immediate action.

A spokesperson for Cottrell explained that he was in a difficult position and lacked the legal authority to remove Tudor. Tudor was only recently banned from ministry after admitting to historical abuse allegations involving two young girls.

However, Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, the Bishop of Newcastle, has criticized Cottrell’s failure to act and called for his resignation. “It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on,” Hartley told BBC’s File on 4 Investigates. “How can he have the moral authority to lead the Church with this hanging over him?”

Jessica (a pseudonym), a woman who received £10,000 in compensation from Tudor for his abuse, has also demanded Cottrell step down, accusing him of failing to address the issue when he was made aware of the payment. “I feel like he [Stephen Cottrell] has spat in my face,” she said.

These calls for resignation come amid ongoing turmoil within the Church of England following a report that exposed how it had concealed the widespread abuse of barrister John Smyth. The report resulted in the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Cottrell is scheduled to temporarily assume Welby’s duties for a few months starting in the New Year.

The BBC investigation also revealed that both Welby and former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, had been involved in the Tudor case. Welby was informed about the allegations in 2018, while Carey was aware of the matter as far back as 1993. Tudor, who served the Church for over four decades, has been accused by at least seven women of abuse. One of these women received a six-figure compensation payment from the Church in 2019, while others are pursuing civil claims.

Tudor, known for his charismatic preaching, worked in various roles across London, Surrey, and Essex, before becoming area dean on Canvey Island in 2010, the same year Cottrell became Bishop of Chelmsford. Cottrell was reportedly made aware of the safeguarding concerns about Tudor early in his tenure.