First female bishop remains suspended over bully claims after her appeal fails

Scotland’s first female bishop has failed to have her suspension over bullying allegations dropped.

The Scottish Episcopal Church’s bishops voted by three to two that Anne Dyer should stand back from the Aberdeen and Orkney diocese while complaints are probed.

The Church said the suspension did not imply there had been any misconduct.

Bishop Dyer has claimed she endured “significant bullying and harassment” since taking up the post in 2018.

Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, will serve as Acting Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney while the complaints are considered by the Church’s Preliminary Proceedings Committee. It will assess if they should be thrown out, or go on to be decided by a church trial held under its Canon law.