Former Oxford college dean and senior cleric to leave Church of England

Martyn Percy told the Times he had a serious breakdown during the prolonged dispute over efforts to oust him as head of Christ Church, Oxford. Photograph: Greg Blatchford/Rex/Shutterstock

A senior cleric who fought an epic three-and-a-half-year battle over efforts to oust him as head of Christ Church, Oxford, has announced he is quitting the Church of England.

Martyn Percy, the dean of Christ Church Cathedral as well as head of one of Oxford’s most venerable colleges, left his position last month after reaching a settlement involving a substantial payoff.