The Bishop of Liverpool has resigned following allegations of sexual assault and harassment, heaping more pressure on the Church of England as it seeks to move past the fallout from a separate scandal

A Church of England bishop resigned on Thursday after what he called a "trial by media" over allegations of sexual assault which he has denied, but which have deepened a crisis at the mother church of the Anglican Communion.

The Bishop of Liverpool has announced his retirement after allegations of sexual assault and harassment were made against him. The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath said he did not want to be a "distraction" after claims made by two women were outlined in a Channel 4 News investigation.