Dean of an Oxford college voluntarily quits ‘with £1.2m’ in a confidential settlement
Dean of an Oxford college voluntarily quits ‘with £1.2m’ in a confidential settlement after a woman made a sexual harassment allegation
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The dean of an Oxford college has stepped down ‘voluntarily’ after settling a sexual harassment allegation.
The Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy has been embroiled in a four-year dispute with the governing body of Christ Church college.
He will leave on April 26 following the ‘successful conclusion’ of a mediation process that has resolved all ‘outstanding’ issues between himself and the college.
A woman who accused him of sexual harassment by stroking her hair has settled her claim with Dr Percy on ‘confidential’ terms.
The Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy has been embroiled in a four-year dispute with the governing body of Christ Church college
However, it was reported last night that he has received almost £1.2million in a settlement from the college.
Christ Church will commission an independent review of its policies around sexual harassment.
The main dispute allegedly followed Professor Percy’s request for a higher salary. But it escalated into a bitter legal battle, with academics attempting to oust him for alleged improper conduct. Professor Percy had denied sexual harassment and police had concluded no further action would be taken.
The woman, referred to as X, said: ‘I am pleased that the Dean has agreed to step down from his role at Christ Church and, in return, I have agreed to settle my outstanding claims against him.
‘I have to accept, incredibly reluctantly, that it is my word against his that the incident took place.’ Christ Church said mediation had taken place ‘to try to resolve a number of outstanding issues’ between the dean and governing body, including the allegation of sexual harassment.
It had made clear throughout various dispute processes with the dean that no resolution could be reached unless the concerns of the woman making the allegation of sexual harassment against him were fully addressed.
The statement said: ‘Any such allegation will always be thoroughly investigated and addressed, whilst respecting the right to a fair hearing for the accused.’ The fallout is understood to have been caused by Professor Percy’s criticism of the college’s governance, pay and safeguarding policies.
This led to a breakdown in the relationship between himself and some of the college’s censors – academics who look after disciplinary and social matters.
His supporters claimed he faced trumped-up charges from opponents in the college’s governing body. Professor Percy, who became dean in 2014, said last night: ‘Despite the trials and troubles over the last four years, we will miss Christ Church enormously.’
