Chaplain pursues judicial review after Justin Welby found ‘plainly wrong’

Church of England archbishop's decision to remove priest is challenged in court

A Church of England chaplain is pursuing a judicial review of the archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to remove him from his post after he was found to have breached the church’s clergy discipline rules.

The Reverend Dr. Bernard Randall was removed from his post as chaplain of the London College of Divinity in 2021 after a disciplinary tribunal found that he had breached the church’s clergy discipline rules by engaging in “conduct unbecoming of a clergyman” by making “inappropriate” comments to a female colleague.

Randall has always denied the allegations and has said that he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by the church. He is now seeking a judicial review of the archbishop’s decision to remove him from his post.

A judicial review is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body. In this case, Randall is arguing that the archbishop’s decision to remove him from his post was unlawful because it was based on a flawed disciplinary process.

The case is being closely watched by the Church of England, as it could have implications for the way in which the church disciplines its clergy.

Background to the case

Randall was appointed chaplain of the London College of Divinity in 2018. In 2020, he was accused of making “inappropriate” comments to a female colleague. Randall denied the allegations, but a disciplinary tribunal found that he had breached the church’s clergy discipline rules.

Randall was removed from his post as chaplain in 2021. He has always denied the allegations and has said that he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by the church.

Arguments in the judicial review

In his application for a judicial review, Randall is arguing that the archbishop’s decision to remove him from his post was unlawful because it was based on a flawed disciplinary process.

Randall’s lawyers argue that the disciplinary tribunal that found him guilty of misconduct was biased against him. They also argue that the tribunal did not properly consider the evidence in the case.

The Church of England is defending the archbishop’s decision to remove Randall from his post. The church’s lawyers argue that the disciplinary process was fair and that the tribunal’s decision was based on the evidence.

Implications of the case

The outcome of the judicial review could have implications for the way in which the Church of England disciplines its clergy.

If Randall is successful in his application for a judicial review, it could lead to the church changing the way in which it conducts disciplinary proceedings.

The case could also have implications for the Church of England’s relationship with its LGBT members. Randall is a gay man, and some people have suggested that his removal from his post was motivated by homophobia.

The Church of England has said that it is committed to equality and diversity, and that it does not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.