Bishop's position is untenable, say church leaders

A radical of religion leaders person said they privation an probe into an allegation of misconduct against the Bishop of Liverpool to beryllium reopened, believing the substance was "not afloat investigated".

The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath has denied allegations of battle - 1 intersexual - against 2 women outlined successful a Channel 4 News investigation.

Police said they had taken nary further action, portion the Church of England said it had besides investigated the complaints. It concluded determination was nary lawsuit to reply successful a substance of alleged misconduct, portion a ineligible timeframe to analyse a 2nd ailment had expired.

However, a radical of section clergy person written a missive saying they judge the substance needs looking astatine again "in the interests of justice".

They said: "We recognize immoderate of allegations against the Bishop of Liverpool person been investigated and recovered unsubstantiated by the National Safeguarding Team.

"We are alert the constabulary successful Essex person taken nary enactment with respect to 1 allegation.

"However, we recognize an allegation of misconduct was not afloat investigated, and we judge successful the interests of justness this should present happen."

They said they were "shocked and saddened" by the claims successful Channel 4 News investigation.

"As leaders successful the Diocese of Liverpool we privation our diocese and our churches to beryllium places wherever everyone is and feels safe," they continued.

"Over the adjacent fewer days and weeks we volition request to determine however we determination guardant unneurotic arsenic a diocese."

Bishop Perumbalath said helium had "consistently denied the allegations made against maine by some complainants".

He added: "Whilst I don't judge I person done thing wrong, I person taken earnestly the lessons learnt done this process addressing however my actions tin beryllium perceived by others."

Explaining further, the Church of England said the 2nd complainant did not bring a ailment wrong a statutory one-year deadline.

"She aboriginal applied for support to bring it aft the deadline, which the Archbishop of York [Stephen Cottrell] afloat supported," it said.

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

"Archbishop Stephen has supported the complainant pastorally passim the process and continues to connection applicable help.

"He had nary portion successful the decision-making astir safeguarding oregon disciplinary matters."

Rev'd Dr Charlie Bell, a subordinate of the General Synod which considers and approves authorities affecting the Church of England, said helium believed Bishop John should measurement speech portion an probe takes place.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "For everybody's benefit, actually, stepping backmost and allowing owed process to instrumentality spot is the close option, and that is not presuming guilt and it's not presuming innocence."