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| St Paul's chancellor Canon Dr Giles Fraser 'to resign' | St Paul's chancellor Canon Dr Giles Fraser 'to resign' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral is to step down from his post, the BBC understands. | The chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral is to step down from his post, the BBC understands. |
| Canon Dr Giles Fraser, who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside the London landmark, is expected to announce his resignation within days. | Canon Dr Giles Fraser, who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside the London landmark, is expected to announce his resignation within days. |
| Differences over the handling of the protest are thought to have prompted his decision, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott. | Differences over the handling of the protest are thought to have prompted his decision, says the BBC's religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott. |
| St Paul's, which closed last week, could reopen to the public on Friday. | St Paul's, which closed last week, could reopen to the public on Friday. |
| The cathedral was shut over fears of "significant issues" with health and safety concerning the Occupy London Stock Exchange (OLSX) camp. | The cathedral was shut over fears of "significant issues" with health and safety concerning the Occupy London Stock Exchange (OLSX) camp. |
| 'Radical figure' | 'Radical figure' |
| When it was first set up, Canon Fraser said he was happy for the demonstrators to stay and asked police to scale back their presence. | |
| He has refused to sanction the use of force to remove the protesters as pressure mounts on the cathedral to join in legal action against them, considering it a resigning matter, our correspondent said. | He has refused to sanction the use of force to remove the protesters as pressure mounts on the cathedral to join in legal action against them, considering it a resigning matter, our correspondent said. |
| It is understood that Canon Fraser now considers his position untenable and is expected to announce his resignation from the governing cathedral chapter within the next few days. | It is understood that Canon Fraser now considers his position untenable and is expected to announce his resignation from the governing cathedral chapter within the next few days. |
| Mr Pigott said the canon had become one of the most radical figures on the Church of England's progressive wing, developing a reputation for tackling difficult issues head-on. | Mr Pigott said the canon had become one of the most radical figures on the Church of England's progressive wing, developing a reputation for tackling difficult issues head-on. |
| He was appointed St Paul's canon chancellor in May 2009. | He was appointed St Paul's canon chancellor in May 2009. |
| A decision as to whether the cathedral will reopen is expected on Thursday. | A decision as to whether the cathedral will reopen is expected on Thursday. |
| The cathedral has claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day in donations since the camp was set up 12 days ago. | The cathedral has claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day in donations since the camp was set up 12 days ago. |
| Demonstrators, who are protesting against corporate greed and inequality, have vowed to remain at the site for several weeks. | Demonstrators, who are protesting against corporate greed and inequality, have vowed to remain at the site for several weeks. |
| The Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was optimistic about reopening after changes to the camp. | The Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was optimistic about reopening after changes to the camp. |
| He said: "We will revisit the risk assessment in the light of any overnight developments and, subject to us getting the green light, we hope to reopen in time for the 12:30 Eucharist on Friday." | He said: "We will revisit the risk assessment in the light of any overnight developments and, subject to us getting the green light, we hope to reopen in time for the 12:30 Eucharist on Friday." |
| On Wednesday, London's mayor joined the Bishop of London in calling for the demonstrators to move on. | On Wednesday, London's mayor joined the Bishop of London in calling for the demonstrators to move on. |
| Boris Johnson said: "With the greatest respect to their point of view, they have made it." | Boris Johnson said: "With the greatest respect to their point of view, they have made it." |
| Legal advice | Legal advice |
| The Bishop of London said the demonstration had raised a number of very important questions but that the time had come for the protesters to leave. | The Bishop of London said the demonstration had raised a number of very important questions but that the time had come for the protesters to leave. |
| But Tim Williams, from OLSX, said they had been working with the church authorities to move tents, reconfigure barriers and relocate the camp's kitchen to facilitate the reopening. | But Tim Williams, from OLSX, said they had been working with the church authorities to move tents, reconfigure barriers and relocate the camp's kitchen to facilitate the reopening. |
| He said the organisers and officials were "all working together". | He said the organisers and officials were "all working together". |
| On Friday, the City of London Corporation's planning committee is due to hear legal advice and decide whether to take court action against the demonstrators. | On Friday, the City of London Corporation's planning committee is due to hear legal advice and decide whether to take court action against the demonstrators. |
| In response to this, Mr Williams said: "It's a minefield on the basis of who owns the land. It's a minefield on the fact that we have rights. | In response to this, Mr Williams said: "It's a minefield on the basis of who owns the land. It's a minefield on the fact that we have rights. |
| "We have British rights to make comment and we have European rights to make comment. | "We have British rights to make comment and we have European rights to make comment. |
| "They're welcome to use their rights to try and stop us. We are quite clear where our situation is at." | "They're welcome to use their rights to try and stop us. We are quite clear where our situation is at." |