Bishop John Perumbalath denies misconduct allegations amid controversy

In early 2023, allegations of sexual misconduct were made against John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, by two women, one of whom was a fellow bishop. The complaints, which included accusations of non-consensual kissing and groping, were brought to the Church of England and investigated according to their statutory safeguarding guidance. The investigations concluded that there were no ongoing safeguarding concerns, and no further action was taken by the police. Perumbalath has consistently denied any wrongdoing while stating that he takes these allegations seriously and will comply with necessary investigations. Following these events, church leaders expressed that his position had become untenable and called for him to step aside until the allegations were thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, Perumbalath announced his retirement, claiming it was not an admission of guilt, but rather a step taken for his well-being and to prevent distractions from the church's mission. The controversy surrounding the allegations has raised concerns about the Church of England's handling of misconduct claims and the culture surrounding safeguarding measures within the institution. Despite the investigations clearing him of fault in a formal sense, the impact of the allegations and the surrounding media scrutiny place considerable pressure on the bishop and the diocese.