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.

Bishop John Perumbalath of Liverpool announced his retirement, citing a "trial by media" over misconduct allegations, which he denies, saying they made his position at the Diocese of Liverpool "untenable.