LONDON: The Bishop of the English city of Liverpool said on Thursday he was stepping down from his post after a British broadcaster aired allegations of sexual assault and harassment against him.

His resignation comes just weeks after Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, leader of the world´s Anglicans, also stepped down over failures in the Church of England´s handling of a serial abuse case.

Channel 4 News reported two women had accused Liverpool Bishop John Perumbalath of “inappropriate behaviour”.

He denies wrongdoing but said in a statement afterwards a “rush to judgement and my trial by media… has made my position untenable”.

Perumbalath said he had decided to retire immediately to avoid a “long period of uncertainty” while the claims were further investigated.

“I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people, whom it has been an honour and joy to serve,” he said.

The bishop said that since the allegations were made in 2023 he had “consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so”.

He said a Church safeguarding team had investigated the allegations and had found them “unsubstantiated” and the first allegation was investigated by the police who decided to take no further action.

“Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and treated these allegations as fact,” he added.