This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-15472362
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
St Paul's protest: Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser quits | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The canon chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral has resigned from his post. | |
Reverend Canon Dr Giles Fraser has been sympathetic to the Occupy anti-capitalist protest camp outside which has forced the cathedral's closure. | |
Dr Fraser said on Twitter: "It is with great regret and sadness that I have handed in my notice at St Paul's Cathedral." | |
The Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was "sorry to see him go". | |
St Paul's, which closed last week, could reopen to the public on Friday. A decision will be made later. | |
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. |
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. |
'Unique contribution' | |
Dr Fraser, who was a former vicar of Putney, had taken up the post of with St Paul's Cathedral in 2009. | |
Following the resignation, Mr Knowles said: "Giles has brought a unique contribution to the life and ministry of St Paul's. | |
"He has developed the work of the St Paul's Institute and has raised the profile of our work in the City. | |
"We are obviously disappointed that he is not able to continue to his work with Chapter during these challenging days. | |
"We will miss his humour and humanity and wish Giles and his family every good wish into the future." | |
The post of canon chancellor is a Crown appointment. | |
£20,000 a day | |
When the camp was first set up, Dr 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, our correspondent said. | |
The cathedral has claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day 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. |
Mr Knowles said he was optimistic the cathedral could reopen in time for the 12:30 BST 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. |
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." | |