The trustees of Christian charity Barnabas Aid International (BAI) are to ask Patrick Sookhdeo, who resigned after being convicted of sexual assault in February, to withdraw his resignation at their board meeting next month.

Sookhdeo co-founded BAI's parent charity the Barnabas Fund, which supports persecuted Christians around the world. He resigned from his positions with both charities following a conviction for sexual assault and two convictions for intimidating witnesses.

However, a spokesman for BAI told Third Sector: "His resignation as international director was not accepted by the board of trustees and he was asked to reconsider this at the next full meeting of the board, which will take place in June.

"Until that meeting has taken place and Dr Sookhdeo makes his decision, he has not been reappointed. Until the decision is taken it would be premature to make any comment about that decision."

At Sookhdeo's trial, Judge Peter Blair QC told him he had an "exceptional background" running the charity but that his actions had left the woman "distressed and unwell".

He said: "You were not at all well in terms of your own health and your conduct that day was poor and unpleasant.

"You are a man with an exceptional background but the witness intimidation makes the matter that much more serious.

"It left her very distressed and made her unwell.

"You will be hugely punished by these convictions and your life will change for good."