A CANVEY vicar who was under police investigation for over three years “was put through absolute hell” and now his parishioners are eager to welcome him back.

An investigation into allegations of indecent assault against the Rev'd Canon David Tudor, 66, has been dropped three years and four months since his arrest in April 2019.

Members of his parish are “delighted” his name has finally been cleared but say the drawn-out legal process has caused unnecessary hurt and damage.

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“Mr Tudor is loved on Canvey and as a member of his church, I am very pleased to see the end of this long saga,” Ray Howards MBE said.

“Talking to the community, everyone is just delighted.

"He has been missed by all of us.”

Mr Howard, a former councillor and Freeman of the borough of Castle Point, says the case raises questions over the country’s legal system.

“It’s not right he had to live under that shadow for so long,” he said.

“I am very disappointed in how this had been handled.

"If there were no charges to bring the investigation should have been closed much sooner.

“Please God, it won’t be long before he is back in our community doing the job he loves.”

Rev'd Tudor remains suspended from his role as team rector of the parish of Canvey Island pending a Diocese of Southwark investigation into safeguarding allegations.

The investigation can now proceed following the conclusion of the police investigation

Councillor Dave Blackwell, leader of Castle Point Council, says Rev'd Tudor “has been put through absolute hell over the years.”

He said: “I just can’t understand why it took so long to get answers. And sadly, the longer it took, the more rumours began to surround the whole thing.

Mr Blackwell added: “I just hope he can now put his life back together and get back on with all the good work he was doing before his life was turned upside down.

“He was the most popular vicar we have ever had, and I am glad everything has finally been dropped.”