Our Ethical Framework

Institutional accountability in the UK church landscape remains deeply uneven. Whistleblowing protections vary between denominations of course, but protections vary even between dioceses within the Church of England. In such environments, pseudonymity becomes a necessary tool for honest critique, protecting contributors from retaliation while ensuring the public remains informed.

Pseudonymity is not anonymity. The goal is to shield whistleblowers and independent investigators from environments where good-faith scrutiny is punished.

Personal Relationships: I do not investigate individuals with whom I have personal or professional connections. Doing so would compromise trust and objectivity.

Evidence Standards: My analysis generally relies on publicly available documents and verifiable sources. I may exceptionally publish based on confidential sources when proper institutional channels have been exhausted, there is credible evidence of ongoing risk to vulnerable people, and the public interest clearly justifies disclosure. When this occurs, it will be clearly noted at the top of the investigation.

Right of Reply: All subjects are offered opportunity to respond before publication.

Accountability: I maintain open contact channels for correction, commit to logging any substantiated errors, and welcome external challenge. Integrity must be tested, not assumed.

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Personal Thoughts on an Imperfect Process

I recognise that, for some, pseudonymity is disqualifying. I understand that response. But after careful deliberation, I believe this is the most responsible approach available given current institutional conditions.

There are many cases where, after a public reckoning, it becomes clear that concerns had been circulating privately for years. Yet those with insight remained silent. They often cared deeply, but felt unable to speak up, because their entire lives were embedded in the systems they would need to challenge. I do not believe losing your church community, your friends, or even your career should be the precondition for raising accountability concerns. The mechanisms by which people are excluded from Church structures for 'rocking the boat' will be explored in detail on this site.

This site aims to offer an alternative: a pathway for critical examination where institutional structures have fallen short.

I acknowledge the ethical tension. This is not a perfect solution, but I'm committed to ongoing scrutiny - especially of my own work. If you have concerns about this approach, I welcome your challenge. Dialogue is not a threat to integrity; it is a requirement for it.

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