Presbytery of Scottish Free Church completes 'thorough investigation' into minister who committed suicide after alleged affairs

Rev Dr Iain CampbellFree Church of Scotland

The presbytery of a Scottish Free Church minister who committed suicide after allegedly being accused of a string of extra-marital affairs, has said his actions were contrary to those expected of a Christian minister.

The Rev Iain D Campbell, 53, committed suicide in January, allegedly after his wife Anne accused him of having affair with a number of other church members at the same time.

The alleged affairs go back as far as 2010.

The Free Church of Scotland issued a statement today following its investigation into Campbell's conduct.

'The Western Isles Presbytery has completed a thorough investigation into serious allegations about the conduct of the late Rev. Dr Iain D Campbell prior to his death,' Rev James Maciver, minister of Stornoway Free Church said.

'The Presbytery has now sadly concluded that elements of Dr Campbell's moral conduct were contrary to, and censurable by, the Word of God (Bible), and seriously inconsistent with that expected of a Christian minister.'

The statement added: 'Following the investigation, each local Kirk Session has carried out appropriate disciplinary action, according to guidelines laid down in the Practice of the Free Church of Scotland. Bearing in mind that the Church has a duty of care to all parties, this has been carried out in private.

'The Presbytery will continue to consider how to bring this sad episode to a conclusion and what we may learn from it.

'The last few weeks have been a deeply distressing time for all concerned. The Presbytery would appeal to everyone within the Free Church of Scotland for unity and prayerfulness. The Presbytery wishes to particularly remember Iain's wife, Anne, and the rest of the family. We urge the Church to pray for them, and for all those affected by recent tragic events, that God will provide comfort and healing for them.'

Campbell, a father of three children, was a former moderator of the Free Church General Assembly, and minister at Point Free Church on the Isle of Lewis. His funeral was held in January. 

Free Church minister and Christian Today contributor David Robertson offered a pastoral reflection to news surrounding Campbell's passing earlier in March.