An Oxford college’s four-year battle to oust its Dean amid claims of scandalous behaviour, unsound judgment, mental incapacity and sexual harassment has ended after it agreed to a substantial payoff.

The Very Rev Prof Martyn Percy, the Dean of Christ Church, has agreed to step down following a mediation process that concluded on Friday and is said to have resolved all outstanding issues.

It means an employment tribunal scheduled for next year will not go ahead. Instead, the college would pay a “substantial” sum in compensation to the Very Rev Percy and reimburse his legal costs, his supporters said. The college has also agreed to an independent review of its governance.

As part of the settlement, he will relinquish his position at the end of April.

A statement from Christ Church on Friday said “a resolution has been reached that is acceptable to all parties”, adding: “The individual who made the allegation of sexual harassment against the Dean has agreed to settle her claim in terms which, on her request, are confidential.”

It was alleged that the Dean briefly stroked and commented on the hair of an unidentified woman, a claim he denied.

Thames Valley Police also conducted an investigation after the matter was reported. A spokesman said at the time that the “investigation has now concluded and the matter has been filed pending further information coming to light”.

Complaint came down to ‘my word against his’

The person, referred to by the college as ‘X’, said she brought a claim of sexual harassment in October 2020.

In a statement released by the college, she said: “He has also denied that he victimised me, including after I brought employment tribunal proceedings against him.

“I have to accept, incredibly reluctantly, that it is my word against his that the incident took place. I am acutely aware that this is a situation faced by many women who bring complaints of a sexual nature.

“Sadly, the various processes that have followed have not altered this situation. However, I want to acknowledge that Christ Church, to their credit, has always supported my right to make this complaint.”

The college said it made clear throughout the various dispute processes with the Dean that no resolution could be reached unless the concerns of the individual making the allegation against him were fully addressed.

At the individual’s request, Christ Church said that, within 12 months, it would commission a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures on sexual harassment to be led by an independent expert. The college said the review would ensure that any future cases were dealt with “fairly and expediently”.

In her statement, X said: “I know what I experienced on that day and I want to ensure that no other student or member of staff has to go through the ordeal that I have. 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.”

‘Any such allegation will always be thoroughly investigated’

The Dean thanked his family, friends and legal advisers and wished the college well for the future, calling it a “special place”. He said: “I can now step aside and look forward to resuming a normal life with my wife Emma, who has been such a rock of strength during this painful struggle.

“I hope the independent review overseen by the Charity Commission will succeed. I sincerely hope that the same standards in public life we have come to expect of our most cherished national institutions – including integrity, transparency and accountability – will flourish and bear fruit here.”

In a statement, Christ Church said: “Christ Church has always regarded the safety and well-being of its students and staff as its highest priority. Any such allegation will always be thoroughly investigated and addressed, whilst respecting the right to a fair hearing for the accused.

“Christ Church is deeply sorry for the hurt that this individual has suffered, and we regret the time that it has taken to bring these matters concerning the dean to a conclusion.”

In December, Lord Patten, a former Cabinet minister who is now chancellor of Oxford University, said the “protracted and ongoing dispute” was damaging the university’s reputation.