The Charity Commission is reviewing concerns raised regarding reports of misogyny and bullying within the Methodist Church, according to a statement provided to Premier Christian News.

It’s after an internal review, which was leaked to The Times, revealed some women perceived the church as an unsafe environment with some describing its culture as "toxic" and "misogynistic".

A quote from the report cited by The Times read: “More than one woman described abuse they experienced from ordained and lay people.

“This included commenting on clothing, inappropriate touching, lewd remarks and demeaning asides, sometimes of an explicit nature. Women spoke of being belittled by men with remarks concerning their ability to undertake their role.”

Now, the Charity Commission has confirmed that while it hasn’t received any official complaints, it is looking at the concerns raised in the media.

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “A charity should be a safe and trusted environment for all. We are assessing concerns recently raised in the media to determine if there is a role for the Commission. We welcome the decision taken by the Methodist Church to carry out an internal review.”

When asked for comment the Methodist Church referred back to the statement issued on Tuesday, it said: “We recognise that there are reported incidents of sexism and misogyny within our church and properly listening and responding to those who have been abused still needs to improve…

“We will study the recommendations of this report carefully and use them as we continue our work to improve our response to survivors of abuse.”