Channel 4 News understands that John Perumbalath, the bishop of Liverpool, was accused of sexually harassing a female bishop – and it wasn’t the first time that allegations had been made against him. Warning: this report contains some distressing testimony.

A Church of England bishop responsible for overseeing discipline has been accused of sexually assaulting and sexually harassing two women. John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on several occasions between 2019 and 2023 while he was a bishop in Essex, Channel 4 News reports.

The Archbishop of York is under pressure to quit over his support for a bishop accused of sexual harassment. The Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, the de facto leader of the Church of England, is facing calls to step down over claims he pressured an appointment committee to approve the Bishop of Liverpool despite concerns about his fitness for the role.