Church drops bullying tribunal against Scotland's first female bishop

Scotland’s first female bishop will no longer face a disciplinary tribunal regarding allegations of bullying.

The Scottish Episcopal Church announced in May that a hearing against the Right Reverend Anne Dyer, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, would go ahead, following three complaints concerning behaviour that was “likely to bring the Church into disrepute”.

Bishop Dyer was suspended in August 2022.

Her suspension has now been lifted and, in a statement, she said she believed justice had been served.

In a document outlining his reasons for the decision, Paul Reid KC said: “It has become apparent that the prospect of giving evidence, and in particular facing cross-examination in a public forum, is a source of anxiety for a number of potential witnesses.”

The lawyer added: “Given the already difficult situation in the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, a public trial very materially risks, whatever its outcome, of making an already difficult situation worse.”

In a statement, Bishop Dyer said she was extremely pleased with the decision “after such a long and trying time for everyone involved”.

She said: “Justice has been served and I am looking forward to resuming the full range of my duties in the service of my diocese in the days and weeks ahead.

“My legal team had full confidence that none of the allegations would have withstood examination by a fair and impartial tribunal.

“That said, it is clearly far better for the wider church that resolution of this matter could be achieved without the need for any further hearing and I am delighted with this outcome.”

The 64-year-old had alleged that since being appointed in 2018, she had faced “significant bullying and harassment on a number of fronts”, as well as “repeated attacks on social media”.

Bishop Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: “This has been a long and difficult process for everyone involved, and I recognise that the outcome will be welcomed by some but will disappoint others.

“The College of Bishops calls on all in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney, and the wider Church, to work together to achieve reconciliation and healing as we look to the future.”