A British bishop has announced his retirement days after he was accused of sexual assault and harassment. Channel 4 News reported on Tuesday that John Perumbalath, the Bishop of Liverpool, was accused of sexually assaulting a woman and harassing a fellow bishop.

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 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 that toppled its former leader.

The Bishop of the English city of Liverpool said on Jan. 30 that he was stepping down from his post after a British broadcaster aired allegations of sexual assault and harassment against him.

The bishop of Liverpool, John Perumbalath, has denied a set of sexual assault allegations by two different women including a fellow church leader, according to multiple reports.

Bishop Perumbalath announced he was stepping down earlier following allegations outlined in a Channel 4 News programme. He said he "consistently denied" any wrongdoing but was resigning to avoid becoming a "distraction".

The Bishop of Warrington has come forward as one of the women who accused the Bishop of Liverpool, Dr John Perumbalath, of sexual misconduct. The Right Reverend Bev Mason said she hoped the recent Channel 4 investigation,