As of May 10, 2013, all complaints lodged against me under the Clergy Discipline Measure have been fully dismissed, with no misconduct of any kind being established. Not a single complaint was permitted to progress beyond the initial stages of the process.
Since November 2011, the Diocese of Chichester’s Safeguarding Advisory Group, led by Chairman Keith Akerman and Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser Colin Perkins, has attempted to bring multiple complaints against me under the Clergy Discipline Measure. These efforts have now been definitively proven to be unfounded and unjustified. The decisions to dismiss these complaints were made by the Archbishop of York and the Right Honourable Lord Justice Mummery, President of Tribunals. Some complaints were dismissed on their merits, while others were rejected for being filed outside the allowable time frame, with no valid grounds for an extension.
All facts concerning my conduct that were subject to these complaints were known at the time by either the Diocesan Bishop or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, or both, and yet no issues were raised then—neither against me nor any other Diocesan official.
Comments on Media Reporting
Since the first complaint against me in November 2011, I have refrained from making any substantial public or press statements. This decision was made based on legal advice and in accordance with the Code of Practice under the Clergy Discipline Measure, which advises against media engagement during the complaint process due to the potential for speculative and misinformed coverage that could harm all parties involved, as well as the local and wider church community.
It is deeply regrettable that certain individuals with knowledge of the complaints against me chose to leak partial and inaccurate information during the formal legal proceedings. Aside from an admission by Lambeth Palace in November 2011 regarding a leak by a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s staff, the source of these leaks remains unidentified. Unfortunately, these leaks continued beyond November 2011, resulting in unfair media reporting, while I was unable to defend myself publicly due to legal constraints.
The impact of media coverage on the process did not go unnoticed by Lord Justice Mummery. With the process now concluded, I can share an excerpt from his decision letter dated January 29, 2013, addressed to Mr. Akerman and Mr. Perkins, in which he refused to allow most of their complaints to proceed. He emphasized the impartial nature of the judgment, stressing that it was based on a thorough consideration of all evidence and legal arguments. Lord Justice Mummery condemned the misuse of media to judge unproven and potentially unfounded allegations, noting the harm caused by this “one-sided and unjust process of trial by media.”
From my perspective, these last 18 months have indeed been characterized by an unjust media trial, affecting not only me but also, at times, my family. This media circus, orchestrated by unknown individuals seemingly uninterested in the truth or the church’s ministry, has been a distressing experience.
Comments on the Complaints
Lord Justice Mummery noted that the various applications made by the Safeguarding Advisory Group were “the most time-consuming matters brought under the Clergy Discipline Measure since its introduction.” The incoherent and complex nature of their attempts to pursue complaints against me only served to delay even the preliminary stages of the process, obscuring the fundamental lack of evidence of any misconduct on my part.
Revealing the baselessness of these complaints and the injustice of the process was a task that occupied my legal team for many hours, and I am deeply grateful to them for their dedication and success.
In a recent private letter made public by the BBC, the Bishop of Chichester acknowledged “deception and cover-up” and “ineptitude and irresponsible lack of professionalism” in the church’s handling of Reverend Roy Cotton’s case. I share in this regret. The Bishop of Chichester has publicly and in writing confirmed that his comments were not directed at me or my conduct. Despite my requests, I have never met with Mr. Akerman or the Safeguarding Advisory Group, which I believe was a missed opportunity to address their concerns directly.
The actions of clergy involved in child abuse are abhorrent to me, and I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing impact on survivors. During my tenure as Bishop of Lewes, I have consistently strived to assist the Diocese in handling safeguarding issues appropriately and have fully supported efforts to improve safeguarding practices within the Diocese.
However, these past events do not justify the attempts to scapegoat me, disregarding where the truth lies and where responsibility truly belongs.