21-07-2025
Former Presbyterian minister reveals his congregation spied on him as dossier of complaints lies for three years
Ex-minister says he suffered a mental breakdowbln after discovering members tracked him over a living arrangements disputeA surveillance rota was drawn up as some parts of the congregation believed he was not staying in an allocated manseA dossier featuring complaints has been left with an Information Commissioners' Office for three years
An Ex-Presbyterian minister has revealed that members of his own congregation spied on him.
The minister says he suffered a breakdown after discovering members of his flock tracked him over living arrangements dispute.
A surveillance rota was drawn up because of a belief he was not staying in a manse after a request to live in his own home was refused by the church.
According to a letter from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the minister was being 'covertly monitored' for 'insurance purposes'.
That story broke after it was revealed that a dossier alleging inappropriate behaviour within the Presbyterian Church is still on the desk of an independent regulator — three years after it was submitted.
Former Alliance Leader Lord Alderdice says he is deeply frustrated that the dossier hasn't been reviewed.
The dossier was sent to the Charity Commission expressing concerns on the legitimacy of the church's charity status due to its alleged ill-treatment of some of those working for the church.
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life reporter Angela Davison.
