Dean of Oxford Resigns
Three Year Battle Concludes
The Very Revd Martyn Percy, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford has resigned after a multi-year battle to remain in post.
Percy was appointed to the office in 2014 but was suspended after a complaint was registered against him in 2018. The Governing Body used a very broad statute mentioning “immoral, scandalous and disgraceful behaviour” but no specifics to initiate the suspension.
In June of 2019 the retired High Court Judge, Sir Andrew Smith was appointed to chair the investigation and upon completion, dismissed the twenty-seven complaints lodged against Percy and ordered him reinstated.
Shortly thereafter, a female complainant lodged charges of sexual harassment against the Dean. Those charges did not meet the rather low bar necessary for a Clergy Disciplinary Measure and were dismissed. The Dean never accepted the charges brought against him.
Afterwards, Dean Percy and the complainant entered into a mediation process that has now completed. As a result, the Dean has agreed to resign on 26 April. Some media reports say that the College has agreed to provide a £1,200,000 payout to Percy. According to the Christ Church press release, the unnamed complainant “has agreed to settle her claim on terms which on her request are confidential.”
