Bishop of Liverpool resigns after assault claims

The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath said he had "consistently denied the allegations"

The Bishop of Liverpool has stood down after allegations of sexual assault and harassment were made against him.

The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath said he did not want to be a "distraction" after claims made by two women were outlined in a Channel 4 News investigation.

He said it was "not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability".

One woman had accused the bishop of kissing her without consent and groping her in Chelmsford in Essex, where the clergyman was Bishop of Bradwell, on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023. A female bishop also told Channel 4 News she was sexually harassed by him.

Police had concluded no further action was needed, while the Church of England said its investigation had found no case to answer.

There had been widespread calls for the bishop to step aside after the programme aired, with church leaders calling his position "untenable".

'Unsubstantiated'

Bishop Perumbalath, who was enthroned as Bishop of Liverpool in 2023, previously said he had "consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants".

In accordance with church convention, the bishop offered his resignation to the King, who then accepted, allowing him to retire from the role.

In a fresh statement, he added: "I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so.

"Since the claims were made in 2023 they have been investigated and considered by experts from the National Safeguarding Team and it had found them unsubstantiated."

He said there had been a "rush to judgement" and a "trial by media", adding that he had made the decision to retire from active ministry "for my own wellbeing, my family and the best interests of the Diocese".

Liverpool Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Britain and fifth largest in the world

Bishop Perumbalath said it had become clear that stepping aside and waiting for further reviews would mean "a long period of uncertainty" for the diocese.

The precise date when his role would formally end was not yet determined, he said, adding: "But I step back from my ministry today.

"This means I will not be ministering in or leading the diocese with immediate effect."

His resignation comes after a group of church leaders announced they had written to the Archbishop of York calling for the bishop to step aside.

They said the allegations should be "fully and properly" investigated and the Church of England's own inquiries had fallen short.

The letter was signed by clergy including Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton and Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool.

They wrote: "Having listened to clergy, congregations and staff at the diocesan offices and the cathedral it is with deep regret that the senior leadership of the Diocese of Liverpool feel the position of the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath is currently untenable."

The Archbishop of York, left, with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who quit over the handling of a separate case

Reacting to the bishop's announcement, Archdeacon Threlfall-Holmes said the group had wanted him to step aside, adding: "That's what we thought seemed to be the sensible thing to do."

She said she appreciated he had chosen to resign for the benefit of the diocese and not becoming a distraction.

"I do appreciate that," she added.

Archbishop Cottrell - who has faced his own calls to resign over separate alleged safeguarding failures - said he respected Bishop Perumbalath's decision and thanked him for his ministry.

"My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation," he said.

He said he was "committed to ensuring stability" during the transition and an acting bishop would be announced in the coming days.