Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral Resigns

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Ex Putney vicar Giles Fraser resigns over protesters at the cathedral

Dr Giles Fraser who left his position in Putney in 2009 to become Canon Chancellor at St Paul's has been sympathetic to the Occupy anti-capitalist protest camp outside, which led to the cathedral's closure.

On his Twitter account Giles said:
"It is with great regret and sadness that I have handed in my notice at St Paul's Cathedral."

Following the resignation, The Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme 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 continued: "We will miss his humour and humanity and wish Giles and his family every good wish into the future."

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. The group have also offered Dr Giles a tent should he wish to join them!

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 them as pressure mounts on the cathedral to join in legal action against protesters.

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 but Mr Knowles was optimistic that they will re open for Eucharist on Friday @ 12.30hrs.

October 27th , 2011