Bishop accused of bullying faces fresh misconduct claims

An Anglican bishop accused of bullying is facing new complaints of alleged misconduct, a BBC investigation has found.

One of the cases involves a priest in Aberdeen who says he has nightmares because of how he had been treated by Anne Dyer, Scotland's first female bishop.

When Bishop Dyer returned from suspension last year over earlier bullying complaints, the Church failed to conduct an independent risk assessment, File on 4 Investigates has learned.

The Scottish Episcopal Church said grounds for a risk assessment were fully considered and acknowledged the "deep wounds that exist within the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney". The Right Reverend Dyer denies bullying anyone and said new complaints against her are "totally without merit".

Anne Dyer became the Scottish Episcopal Church's (SEC) first female bishop in 2018.

Although she was praised by some as a wise spiritual leader, willing to listen and provide pastoral support, her time in charge has been overshadowed by allegations of misconduct.

At least six complaints have been lodged against her in the last year.

One involves Isaac Poobalan, rector of St Andrew's Cathedral in Aberdeen, who said he felt like "a dead man walking" because he believes Bishop Dyer tried to drive him out.

"Nightmares are part of my existence now," he said.

That is despite Rev Poobalan trying to unite worshippers behind the bishop whose appointment had been opposed by some.

In 2021 Bishop Dyer announced that his church, St Andrew's, would close because of problems with the building. A nearby church would become the cathedral and she would be provost instead of Rev Poobalan.

He was called to a meeting at which he said the bishop adopted a "loud, hostile" tone. He was later suspended but was reinstated after a grievance procedure, and an independent report commissioned by the church following damaging stories in the press.

Report author Professor Iain Torrance described the treatment of Rev Poobalan as a scandal and the handling of the situation with St Andrew's as disastrous.

He also made reference to allegations of bullying, and concluded Bishop Dyer should resign. She did not and said the report contained errors. The SEC noted the bishop's concerns, and those of other church leaders, but still published the report.

Rev Poobalan's title as provost has not been restored and he said he was still distressed by his treatment.

In a statement, a lawyer for Bishop Dyer said: "It is unfortunate that a small number of individuals within the diocese continue to engage in a campaign against Bishop Anne and others who support her. The further complaints are frivolous, vexatious and are totally without merit."

When Bishop Dyer was consecrated in March 2018, Jen Bressers was in her final year of training to be a priest. She was thrilled to be a chalice bearer at the event but said she was stunned by the bishop's behaviour at their first meeting soon afterwards.

She claims she was shouted at and told if she were ordained as a priest, it would be to an unpaid post because of a "deficit" in her spiritual development and a serious, but temporary health issue. That was despite Mrs Bressers saying she had been medically assessed as fit to work.

"It was just shocking because you don't expect this from anybody, especially not a bishop. I've worked in business... I've had difficult bosses," but she said this was "very intimidating".

Mrs Bressers told the bishop she could not serve under her and in 2022, along with two other women, made a complaint of bullying.

One was a trainee priest who alleged Bishop Dyer had said she was unsuitable for ministry because she was mentally unstable, and the other was a disabled staff member who claimed she was bullied and made redundant, leaving her suicidal.

The Scottish Episcopal Church said the complaints were the "most heavily investigated" in its history.

In October 2024 the procurator, a senior church appointed lawyer, ruled there was "sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction" in church law.

But he said there were sharp differences in accounts and concluded a tribunal was not in the public interest because it risked making the situation worse and would be a source of anxiety for witnesses.

Mrs Bressers said the women had been prepared to testify. They had asked the procurator about arrangements to make it less intimidating to give evidence, but had not received a response.

BBC File on 4 Investigates put this to procurator Paul Reid KC. He did not answer on that point but in relation to his decision, said "the procurator is independent of the Church and all others involved in the process".

Afterwards four bishops - including the Primus, the Most Reverend Mark Strange - asked Bishop Dyer to consider if she was still the right person to lead the diocese. She described their intervention as "ill-considered and inflammatory'.

Over 20 members of the Church signed a public letter supporting her. They included Brian Harris, a member of the General Synod, the church's governing body.

"Bishop Dyer is respected and loved here for her discernment, sound leadership and encouragement of others, underpinned by deep spiritual awareness, prayer and theological understanding", he told the BBC.

Last November Bishop Dyer went back to work in a phased return involving professional HR advice. But File on 4 Investigates has seen evidence an independent risk assessment was not carried out although the SEC says grounds for one were "fully considered".

Soon afterwards Bishop Dyer told Radio Shetland: "The people in my churches are very pleased to have me as their bishop... and together we're excited about being able to start looking forward."

But some raised concerns about the procurator's decision and the church's subsequent handling of things, and said they were now being punished.

"How can you on one hand say that you have found evidence of abuse and then not proceed to examine it? It just is mind boggling," said Peter Ferguson-Smyth, a lay preacher on Orkney.

He wrote to the SEC's college of bishops, saying: "Anne Dyer I'm sure will always have a cloud over her unless it's decided one way or another whether she behaved properly or improperly."

When Mr Ferguson-Smyth did not receive a response, he wrote to 400 churches across Scotland. In July he was told Bishop Dyer was revoking his licence to preach for "disturbing the peace and unity of the church".

"In my mind it could only be seen as punishment for me and a vindictive move on her part", he said. He has now made a complaint of misconduct.

"I don't feel that I've done anything wrong. This is essentially a David and Goliath story. We are definitely just wanting the truth of the situation to be made clear to everybody."

Bishop Dyer denies removing any permissions to officiate for vindictive or inappropriate reasons.

In a statement, an SEC spokesperson said: "The procurator's decision was an impartial determination, regardless of any individual's personal view.

"The outcome of this legal process cannot be set aside or rejected by the Church simply because some don't like it."

To date, no complaints have been upheld against Bishop Dyer.

Her lawyer said she had "cooperated fully with the complaints process and has provided detailed written responses where these have been requested".

Isaac Poobalan and Jen Bressers still believe they have a future in the Church they love. Though Mrs Bressers fears being punished for speaking out, she felt she had no choice.

"I can't stay silent because to stay silent is to be complicit," she said.

"So for me, despite the personal costs all these years, we have to tell the truth."