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St Paul's protest: Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser quits St Paul's protest: Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser quits
(40 minutes later)
  
The canon chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral has resigned from his post.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 Giles Fraser has been sympathetic to the Occupy anti-capitalist protest camp outside, which has led to 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."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".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.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 Dr Fraser's 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''Unique contribution'
Dr Fraser, who was a former vicar of Putney, had taken up the post of with St Paul's Cathedral in 2009. Dr Fraser, who was a former vicar of Putney, had taken up the cathedral post, a Crown appointment, in 2009.
Following the resignation, Mr Knowles said: "Giles has brought a unique contribution to the life and ministry of St Paul's.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."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 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.""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. Ronan McNern, from OLSX, said Dr Giles was a "man of principles" and the protesters were "very grateful for the respect and support" he had shown them by defending their right to protest.
£20,000 a day "The fact that he has resigned shows a clear split within the cathedral."
The protesters were still open for dialogue, he said.
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.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. He has refused to sanction the use of force to remove them as pressure mounts on the cathedral to join in legal action against protesters, our correspondent said.
The cathedral has claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day since the camp was set up 12 days ago. The cathedral claims to be losing £20,000 a day since the camp started 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.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. The City of London Corporation's planning committee is due to hear legal advice and decide whether to take court action against the demonstrators.
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 OLSX said it had been reorganising the camp to facilitate the cathedral's reopening, but added the issue of legal action was "a minefield" in terms of land ownership and the rights of protesters.
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".
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."