Bishop accused of bullying begins return to work

The Right Reverend Anne Dyer was Scotland's first female bishop

Scotland's first female bishop - who has been accused of bullying - has begun a phased return to work.

The Scottish Episcopal Church's Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Right Reverend Anne Dyer, was suspended in 2022 and was due to face a disciplinary tribunal after three complaints were made against her.

However, following a review the church's independent procurator decided last month it was not in the public interest to pursue matters any further.

Her diocese said in a statement she had now begun her return to her clerical duties and would be assisted by another bishop initially.

Bishop Dyer had been expected to return to work last month - but it then emerged she was on sick leave after a new complaint was received.

The nature of this new complaint has not been disclosed and her supporters have suggested it is part of a "campaign" being waged against her.

More than 20 members of the Scottish Episcopal Church backed her return in a letter in the Church Times.

A statement from the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney said: “A phased return has been arranged, involving professional HR advice, which has allowed Bishop Anne Dyer to return to a number of her duties following the recent conclusion of a canonical complaint process."

During the Bishop’s phased return, the Right Reverend Ian Paton - who is Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane - will assist with her duties.

A separate inquiry into diocesan accounts is being carried out by the Scottish charity regulator.