On 23 February 2013 "The Observer" reported that O'Brien had been accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour involving four men (three serving priests, and one former priest) within the Diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh dating back to the 1980s. The former priest resigned the priesthood when O'Brien became a bishop and stated, "I knew then he would always have power over me. (…) I left to preserve my integrity." It was reported that one complainant needed long term counselling due to the actions of O'Brien.