Grieve review calls for ‘significant reform’ at Christ Church, Oxford

An independent review by the former attorney general Dominic Grieve into how one of the University of Oxford’s oldest colleges is run has recommended “significant” and wide-ranging changes to governance and disciplinary practices.

The review into the governance of Christ Church, Oxford was launched following the departure of its former dean, Martyn Percy, after a four-year battle to oust him over allegations of sexual harassment, which he strenuously denied. The theologian, who eventually left in April 2022 with a reported £1.2 million pay-off, claimed he was the victim of internal plotting by dons who opposed his efforts to modernise safeguarding practices.

The episode is estimated have cost Christ Church, which was founded in the 16th century by Henry VIII, more than £8 million in legal fees, investigations and pay-offs. Many critics have claimed the affair exposed the archaic nature of the college’s governance arrangements, which are entangled in the Church of England given Christ Church’s role as Oxford’s cathedral.

In the recommendations of his review – which is more than 142,000 words long – Mr Grieve says it is clear to him that “significant reform is necessary at Christ Church, and that it would be widely welcomed”. Recent events had been “traumatic and painful for many concerned”, he adds, and had “involved a long drawn-out and public breakdown in confidence between the last dean and the overwhelming majority of the governing body of Christ Church”.

The former Conservative cabinet minister concludes that the college’s governing body should be able to select a leader who is not a member of the clergy. Currently, the Dean of Christ Church must be ordained because this person is head of both the college and of Christ Church Cathedral.

Mr Grieve also recommends that the head of college should be appointed for a renewable fixed term, unlike the current lifetime post, and they should be provided with a written contract.

Advocating a partial separation of church and college leadership, Mr Grieve adds that the dean of Christ Church Cathedral should no longer be the head of the foundation, which comprises both the cathedral and college.

Concerns over the size and accountability of Christ Church’s governing council – which has 65 trustees – are also addressed. Though this number is not unusual for Oxford colleges, Mr Grieve calls for a smaller governing council, like those seen at some Cambridge colleges, of about 15 to 20 trustees, which would meet more regularly.

Reform of disciplinary arrangements is also required, adds the former Conservative minister. At present, the only way to remove a head of college is on a charge of “conduct of an immoral, scandalous or disgraceful nature”, but Mr Grieve says the charges of “wilful disruption of the activities of the college” and “wilful disobedience of any of the statutes or by-laws of the college” should also be considered as grounds for dismissal.

However, Mr Grieve stresses that his review was never intended to “pass comment or judgement on the events that have taken place and the behaviour of those most concerned”, stating that although an “understanding of what has happened has been essential to the conduct of the review, the allocation of blame for what has occurred plays no part in it”.

Mr Grieve’s recommendations will now be considered by Christ Church’s governing body, though the subsequent changes will require consultation with the university, the Church of England and the Charity Commission, and the approval of the Privy Council and Parliament.

Sarah Foot, dean designate of Christ Church, said she was grateful for Mr Grieve’s “meticulous, thoughtful, and constructive work over the last year” and his “series of important recommendations”.

“The governing body will now consider his conclusions and the changes necessary to ensure that Christ Church has an effective system of governance. This vital process will lay firm foundations for the future as we approach the 500th anniversary of Christ Church’s foundation.”

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com