Bishop Anne Dyer Faces Fresh Bullying Allegations After Reinstatement

Scotland’s First Female Bishop Returns Amid Controversy

Bishop Anne Dyer made history in 2017 when she became the first woman to serve as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church, leading the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. However, her tenure has been marked by persistent allegations of workplace misconduct. In August 2022, Dyer was suspended after the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) received complaints of bullying.

She was reinstated as Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney on 8 October 2024 after the prosecutor concluded it was not in the public interest to continue with disciplinary action. The decision has proven divisive, with some parishioners welcoming her return whilst others have expressed deep concern about unresolved allegations.

Fresh Complaints Surface Following Return to Office

Bishop Anne Dyer is now the subject of at least six new claims, according to the BBC’s File on 4 Investigates, having been cleared of misconduct last year. A number of clergy and lay preachers have raised concerns with the BBC about behaviour they deem to be bullying, and about how the Church has handled the cases.

Bishop Dyer has denied bullying and has called the new complaints “totally without merit”. Her lawyer told the BBC: “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.”

Ongoing Impact on Diocese and Church Leadership

The continuing controversy has left deep divisions within the diocese. Vittoria Hancock, a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church, has announced that she will resign as she cannot swear obedience to “bully” Anne Dyer, the disgraced bishop of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. The SEC acknowledged the “deep wounds that exist within the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney” and said grounds for a risk assessment were fully considered.

The situation raises important questions about safeguarding procedures, church accountability, and the proper handling of workplace misconduct allegations in religious institutions. As the Scottish Episcopal Church navigates these challenges, the resolution of this matter will likely have lasting implications for church governance and the protection of clergy and employees across the Anglican Communion.