Bishop's position is untenable, say church leaders

A group of church leaders have said the Bishop of Liverpool's position is "currently untenable" and he should "step aside" after allegations of sexual assault and harassment were made against him.

The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath has denied the allegations made by two women outlined in a Channel 4 News investigation.

Police concluded no further action was needed, while the Church of England said it had also investigated complaints and concluded there was no case to answer in a matter of alleged misconduct while a legal timeframe to investigate a second complaint had expired.

Local clergy have written to the Archbishop of York saying the matter should be "fully and properly" investigated.

The letter was signed by Debra Walker, chair of the house of laity, Peter Dawkin, chair of the house of clergy, Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton, Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool, and Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington.

They told the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell: "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 group said the allegations needed to be "fully and properly investigated".

"We also believe that while these proper investigations are conducted the Bishop of Liverpool will need to step aside from all ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool," they added.

It comes after they wrote a letter on Tuesday to people of the Diocese of Liverpool, saying: "We understand some of allegations against the Bishop of Liverpool have been investigated and found unsubstantiated by the National Safeguarding Team.

"We are aware the police in Essex have taken no action with regard to one allegation.

"However, we understand an allegation of misconduct was not fully investigated, and we believe in the interests of justice this should now happen."

They said they were "shocked and saddened" by the claims in Channel 4 News investigation, adding that churches should be "places where everyone is and feels safe".

Bishop Perumbalath said he had "consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants".

He added: "Whilst I don't believe I have done anything wrong, I have taken seriously the lessons learnt through this process addressing how my actions can be perceived by others."

Explaining further, the Church of England said the second complainant did not bring a complaint within a statutory one-year deadline.

"She later applied for permission to bring it after the deadline, which the Archbishop of York [Stephen Cottrell] fully supported," it said.

"However, this was refused by an independent judge, the Deputy President of Tribunals.

"Archbishop Stephen has supported the complainant pastorally throughout the process and continues to offer practical help.

"He had no part in the decision-making around safeguarding or disciplinary matters."

The Channel 4 News investigation said one woman was allegedly assaulted in the diocese of Chelmsford in Essex, where he 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.

The Reverend Dr Charlie Bell, a member of the General Synod which considers and approves legislation affecting the Church of England, said he believed Bishop Perumbalath should step aside while an investigation takes place.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "For everybody's benefit, actually, stepping back and allowing due process to take place is the right option, and that is not presuming guilt and it's not presuming innocence."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.