6 episodes

In February 2022, The very reverend professor Martyn Percy left Christ Church, Oxford, as its Dean with a £1.25 million settlement. But big questions remain. 
In this five-part series The Times' journalist Andrew Billen returns to his old university college to try and understand why Percy and his employer got into a four year long battle, which left the priest close to suicide and cost the Oxford college millions in charitable funds. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Feud The Times

    • News
    • 3.7 • 9 Ratings

In February 2022, The very reverend professor Martyn Percy left Christ Church, Oxford, as its Dean with a £1.25 million settlement. But big questions remain. 
In this five-part series The Times' journalist Andrew Billen returns to his old university college to try and understand why Percy and his employer got into a four year long battle, which left the priest close to suicide and cost the Oxford college millions in charitable funds. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Down the rabbit hole (Pt 1)

    Down the rabbit hole (Pt 1)

    In 2014 The Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy walks into Christ Church as the new Dean of the Oxford college.
    But in this ‘Alice in Wonderland’ universe has this traditional institution met its match?
    In this five-part series, release every Thursday, The Times' journalist Andrew Billen delves into the most bizarre story he's every covered.
    Clips: BBC.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 30 min
    Immoral, scandalous or disgraceful (Pt 2)

    Immoral, scandalous or disgraceful (Pt 2)

    Two years into his tenure as Dean, a student attacks a man at Christ Church. Dealing with the crisis, Martyn Percy questions how the university college is run, but has no idea the chain of events he is about to set in motion.
    This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.
    Clips: Walt Disney Studios.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 40 min
    Mystery in the cathedral (Pt 3)

    Mystery in the cathedral (Pt 3)

    During the pandemic a woman makes an allegation against Martyn that changes everything.
    This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.
    Clips: ITV, BBC, Sky News. 


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 27 min
    Who blinks first? (Pt 4)

    Who blinks first? (Pt 4)

    Martyn’s employer questions the Dean’s mental capacity as the feud shows no sign of abating. And he's in hot water over an article, published on his website, in which he references the Holocaust.
    This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 29 min
    Atonement? (Pt 5)

    Atonement? (Pt 5)

    In the final episode of the series, the woman who made an allegation against Martyn speaks out about intimidation by some of his supporters. And has Christ Church tried to hide the astronomical cost of the feud?
    This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. 
    Host: Andrew Billen, journalist at The Times. 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 36 min
    The Feud - Coming soon

    The Feud - Coming soon

    A new five-part investigation from The Times begins on Thursday 13 October. 
    In February this year, the Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy left Christ Church, Oxford, as its Dean with a £1.25 million settlement. But big questions remain. 
    Journalist Andrew Billen returns to his old university college to try and understand why Percy and his employer got into a four year long battle, which left the priest close to suicide and cost the Oxford college millions in charitable funds. 


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 2 min

Customer Reviews

3.7 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

PBB420 ,

Who thought this was interesting?

I like the host but I am confused as to why this was a series instead of one podcast. The whole thing could’ve been covered in 45 mins. The story is just not that exciting. I think it probably had the most appeal among oxford college students/alumni, and that’s about it

Amlash63 ,

Compelling

An interesting look into the internal politics of a renowned College. I would not doubt it is a typical example of what goes on in many academic institutions around the world.

NewportBeachWriter ,

Like modern Trollope

This is just terrific, especially if you like Trollope’s Barsetshire novels, albeit with a slight shift from the ecclesiastical to the academic. Internecine war reported with tremendous emotional intelligence.

It was for me a fascinating examination of a monumental and vicious power struggle that ostensibly begins with an ordinary request. But what was really going on in the dynamic between an upwardly mobile dean and an establishment clique who loathed him?

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