The date of his Episcopate is controverted. MacKinnon was declared elected by Justice E. J. Hodgson under the Controverted Elections Act. Many unverified cases ("claims" or "traditions") have been controverted by reliable sources. He controverted and denounced John Lilburne, and called on Parliament to crush the sectaries. Although Ursus is sometimes said to have been the first bishop, this is controverted. This Act was repealed by section 1 of the Controverted Elections Act 1828 (9 Geo.