Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bishop of Liverpool denies wrongdoing after sexual assault and harassment claims

One woman accused the Rt Rev Dr John Perumbalath of kissing her without consent and groping her and another woman accused him of sexual harassment – allegations he says he has consistently denied

Jordan Reynolds,Angus Thompson
Wednesday 29 January 2025 08:06 GMT
Bishop of Liverpool denies wrongdoing after sexual assault and harassment claims

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Bishop of Liverpool has denied any wrongdoing after allegations of sexual assault and harassment were made against him, according to Channel 4 News.

One woman accused the Rt Rev Dr John Perumbalath of kissing her without consent and groping her and another woman accused him of sexual harassment, according to Channel 4.

In a statement, Dr Perumbalath said he has “consistently denied” the allegations and complied with any investigation from the National Safeguarding Team (NST).

“The allegations set out in this programme are in relation to encounters that took place in public settings, with other people present,” Dr Perumbalath said.

“I have consistently denied the allegations made against me by both complainants. I have complied with any investigation from the NST. The allegations raised in Essex were also investigated by the police who took no further action.

While denying wrongdoing, the bishop says he has taken seriously how his actions could be perceived by others
While denying wrongdoing, the bishop says he has taken seriously how his actions could be perceived by others (EPA-EFE)

“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.

“I will comply with any investigation deemed necessary. I take safeguarding very seriously and work hard to provide proper leadership in this area.”

In response to the Channel 4 programme, a spokesperson for the Church of England said that in 2023 a complaint of alleged misconduct against Dr Perumbalath was brought to the NST and concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to bring a safeguarding-related issue under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) itself but offered the woman support if she wished to do so.

“The complaint was looked into according to statutory safeguarding guidance in an NST-led process and an independent risk assessment undertaken. This process concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, but a learning outcome was identified with which the bishop fully engaged. The complaint was also investigated by the police which resulted in no further action,” the spokesperson said.

The Church of England has said complaints were investigated
The Church of England has said complaints were investigated (PA)

A further disclosure was made by another woman, and the information was “explored and assessed not to be a safeguarding matter but a matter of alleged misconduct”, the spokesperson said.

The second complainant did not bring a CDM complaint within the one-year deadline. She later applied for permission to bring it after the deadline, which the Archbishop of York supported, but this was refused by an independent judge, the Deputy President of Tribunals, they added.

“Pastoral support has been provided throughout for the second complainant and is ongoing,” they said.

The spokesperson said Archbishop Stephen 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.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in