Below is the text of a complaint filed against the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally in 2024 by the Rev. Paul Williamson. No action was taken in this matter by the Church of England’s safe guarding authority.

I write to make Formal Complaint against Sarah Mullally, bishop of London, a member of the House of Bishops of General Synod because she was complicit in a most serious safeguarding failure that led to the suicide of Revd Alan Griffin, and the suicidal ideation of two more clergy. Her incompetence and lack of proper handling means that she has blood on her hands: this issue must be addressed where she is in Office and may be dealing with similar matters, such as voting in Synod.

A man called Martin Sargeant worked as vicar general in the diocese of London, and compiled 42 Files on clergy in which he accused them of all manner of filth and sexual misdemeanour. Much of this was to prove to be inventlon. He compiled these Files during paid diocesan time, on premises of the diocese of London, and used their office equipment and storage to create and keep them.

When he left the diocese of London these Files were handed to the bishop of London, and remained upon her desk for two years. She made no Investigation as to truth, did not hold Martin Sargeant to account, and did not notify the Police of the persons named in the Files, nor did she contact the named persons. Such a state of inaction is Malfeasance in public office.

When she sent the File on Revd Alan Griffin forward to authorities he knew nothing of the existence of the File or its contents prior to its arrival. He Committed suicide.

Mary Hassell, Coroner, wrote an excoriating repdrt about the bishop’s failure and its consequence sent to the archbishop of Canterbury: he did nothing to reprimand her or to enable redress to any victims. The bishop of London commissioned a Report but forbade any attribution of guilt or penalty, thus exonerating herself from all blame when she was the princlpal culprit.

The Coroner ascertained that in the case of Revd Alan Griffin outright lies has been told which caused him to commit suicide – because the truth of the allegations had not been investigated by the bishop before he was accused by the File contents. lt was a tragedy she caused.

All attempts to complain to the archbishop were blocked, and he effectively covered up her gross misconduct. The bishop of London has still not been held to account in any way. She is not fit for public office or duties of any importance.

I am a victim of one of the Files, and I am in touch with other clergy in the same position. When I have complained to the bishop she has refused to do anything, as have her officers. This is a form obullying and co-ercive control. The Bullying Policy of the diocese of London states: “The ultimate responsibility is the bishop of London” – these are the opening words. There must be no escape from accountability, and there must be redress for the victims: these most urgent and important matters are a priority for all concerned.

I trust that you will investigate the truth of my communication, acknowledge its arrival, and inform me of what action you will be taking.

You should note that Martin Sargeant is in prison for embezzlement of many millions of pounds of Church and charity monies. He is set for early release with a new name. The victims of his awful lies and Files have not been given justice, nor have those responsible for suicide been brought to account: the bishop of London is the principal agent in this truly horrendous safeguarding failure and its consequences.

Chris Robson, who was commissioned by the bishop of London to write the Report, spoke with me personally as a victim, and expressed his frustration that he was not allowed to “name and shame” (the bishop, the archdeacon of London, and Martin Sargeant), and to state what consequences there should be for these miscreants because the bishop has limited the terms of his engagement = self preservation by those in power. Effectively his Report became a smoke-screen and a cover-up, and to this day the miscreants have not answered for their complicity in causing suicide, suicidal ideation, mental health crisis, and immense damage to priests and to the Church.

Thank you.
Yours Faithfully,

Paul Williamson

The complaint can be downloaded from the link below.