A group of church leaders have said they want an investigation into an allegation of misconduct against the Bishop of Liverpool to be reopened, believing the matter was "not fully investigated". The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath has denied allegations of assault - one sexual - against two women outlined in a Channel 4 News investigation.

Cottrell has also faced calls to resign over his own handling of a sexual abuse case when he was Bishop of Chelmsford. He had allegedly allowed a priest to keep his job despite knowing the Church had barred him from being alone with children and the priest had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim.

We also believe that while these proper investigations are conducted, the Bishop of Liverpool will need to step aside from all ministry in the Diocese of Liverpool.” The lett