Bishop of Liverpool resigns following allegations of sexual assault

The Bishop of Liverpool has resigned after coming under scrutiny over allegations of sexual assault and harassment. 

Dr John Perumbalath, who continues to disclaim the allegations, announced on Thursday that he was stepping down, days after Channel 4 News broadcast complaints by two women. 

One complainant is a female bishop who said she had been sexually harassed by Dr Perumbalath. The Church of England said it had “explored” her criticism and that it had been “assessed to not be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct”.

It was not fully investigated, nonetheless, since the bishop didn’t bring the criticism inside the 12-month limitation required under the Church of England’s Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). An application for her criticism to be considered beyond the deadline was supported by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, but refused by the Deputy President of Tribunals, a Church of England spokesperson said. 

The second criticism was made by a lady within the Diocese of Chelmsford who said she was sexually assaulted by Dr Perumbalath on three separate occasions.

She alleged that at a diocesan away day in 2019, Dr Perumbalath “kissed me forcefully on my mouth, which I didn’t like and I didn’t want. I attempted to maneuver away, but he was holding my head too tightly”.

She alleged that at the top of a gathering in 2022, “As he was letting go of hugging me, he ran his hands past the side of my breasts on each side, with a medium pressure, until he reached the sting of the areola.”

She also alleged that in January 2023, Dr Perumbalath “pressed his face against my face, said ‘I like you’ quietly in my ear, and moved his mouth to slightly below my ear, on the heart beat point on my neck. He opened his mouth, took a chunk of my skin between his lips, and let go”.

The Church of England said that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) had investigated the criticism and “concluded that there have been no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning final result was identified with which the bishop fully engaged”.

“The criticism was also investigated by the police which resulted in no further motion,” the spokesperson said.

“The NST concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to bring a safeguarding-related criticism under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) itself but offered the lady support if she wished to accomplish that.” 

The report by Channel 4 News prompted senior clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool to write down to the Archbishop of York, who’s temporarily leading the Church of England after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, stepped down over safeguarding failures. 

In their letter, the Liverpool clergy said that Dr Perumbalath’s position had develop into “untenable” and that he should “step apart from all ministry” within the diocese until the allegation by the feminine bishop is fully investigated. 

Dr Perumbalath denied the allegations in a press release announcing his resignation by which he also claimed he had been a victim of “trial by media”. 

“Earlier this week, I used to be approached by Channel 4 news who informed me they might be broadcasting a story containing allegations of inappropriate behaviour by me against two different women,” he said. 

“Since those allegations were made, I even have consistently maintained that I even have not done anything incorrect and proceed to accomplish that. Since the claims were made in 2023, they’ve been investigated and regarded by experts from the National Safeguarding Team and had found them unsubstantiated. The first allegation was also investigated by the police leading to no further motion. Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and treated these allegations as fact.

“Further it has been erroneously reported that prior to my appointment as Bishop of Liverpool, I had failed the safeguarding assessment process. This is categorically not true. As the Church of England have made clear of their written statements over the past 48 hours responding to those false claims, the National Safeguarding Team found no concerns about my operational safeguarding experience and advisable some development work for me as I took on additional strategic safeguarding responsibilities – which is usually the case for brand new diocesan bishops.

“This rush to judgment and my trial by media (be that social or broadcast) has made my position untenable on account of the impact it should have on the Diocese of Liverpool and the broader church whilst we await further reviews and next steps.” 

Commenting on the announcement, the Archbishop of York said, “I acknowledge the choice made by the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath to resign from energetic ministry within the Church of England. I respect his decision and thank him for his ministry.

“My thoughts and prayers proceed to be with all those that have been affected by this example.

“I’m committed to making sure stability during this time of transition and will probably be putting the crucial arrangements in place to supply episcopal oversight for the Diocese. An acting Bishop for the Diocese of Liverpool will probably be announced in the approaching days.” 

Senior clergy within the Diocese of Liverpool said in a press release: “Having received the news of the retirement of the Bishop of Liverpool, we acknowledge his decision in taking this step for the nice of the Diocese of Liverpool. This is a deeply painful situation, and we hold all concerned in our prayers.

“We will probably be liaising with the Archbishop of York in the approaching days to ascertain interim episcopal oversight for the diocese. We proceed working hard to support all those that have been affected by this story; and to support our clergy, congregations and staff as their ministry continues.”