Bishop investigated over misleading accounts claim

Bishop Anne Dyer was suspended in 2022 over allegations of bullying

A charity watchdog is reviewing fresh allegations against Scotland's first female bishop.

Papers lodged with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) include allegations that the Right Reverend Anne Dyer oversaw the submission of five sets of "misleading and untrue" accounts of the Episcopal Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney (EDAO).

It is further alleged that the accounts were not approved by trustees before being submitted to the OSCR, and that the records of some meetings were "fabricated".

A spokesperson for Bishop Dyer - who was suspended in 2022 over allegations of bullying - said she "emphatically" denies the claims.

The document, seen by BBC Scotland News, details "new and ongoing concerns" about the management and annual reporting of the diocese.

It states that these include certain trustees submitting “five sets of misleading and untrue EDAO accounts to OSCR that give a disingenuous, overly generous picture of EDAO’s financial position".

It is also noted there was a failure to reference serious conflicts of interest and that false claims accounts were approved by the board of trustees - including the fabrication of meetings that did not take place.

The watchdog is also reviewing papers submitted to OSCR in 2022 which raised concerns that Bishop Dyer had been confirmed as a “dominant trustee” of the diocese, and personally chaired the committee responsible for the accounts.

The Scottish Episcopal Church said it could not make a comment "on a matter where there is an ongoing investigation."

Bishop Dyer "emphatically" denies the allegations.

A spokesperson for the the bishop said the claims were "the latest salvo" in a campaign by people who want to "force her from office due to beliefs on issues such as female bishops and same-sex marriage."

They added: "Accounts for the Diocese were prepared by professional accountants following detailed audits and claims of fabricated meetings are beyond parody."

'Systemic dysfunction'

The OSCR said it continued to engage on the matter but could not comment further due to ongoing inquiry work.

Bishop Dyer was suspended by the Scottish Episcopal Church as the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney in 2022, following claims of bullying.

These are currently being investigated by the Church, with its senior lawyer considering whether they should be heard by a tribunal.

Bishop Dyer has denied these allegations, saying she has faced “significant bullying and harassment” since taking up the role in 2018.

The investigation followed an independent review carried out by Prof Iain Torrance.

It warned of “systemic dysfunction” in the diocese and recommended that Bishop Dyer should step back permanently.