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.

He said it was “not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability”.

One woman was allegedly assaulted in the diocese of Chelmsford in Essex, where the clergyman was Bishop of Bradwell, on separate occasions between 2019 and 2023. A female bishop also told Channel 4 News she was sexually harassed by him.

Police had concluded no further action was needed, while the Church of England said its investigation had found no case to answer.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.