Third cleric quits over occupation of St Paul’s
THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury has broken his two-week silence over the St Paul’s occupation after the Dean of the Cathedral became the third cleric to resign yesterday.
Dr Rowan Williams said he was “very sad” that the Right Rev Graeme Knowles had resigned and said the protesters had raised “urgent issues”.
“The events of the last couple of weeks have shown very clearly how decisions made in good faith by good people under unusual pressure can have utterly unforeseen and unwelcome consequences.”
Dr Knowles said he was leaving immediately because his position was “becoming untenable” after media and public criticism of the cathedral had mounted.
It came as the City of London Corporation said it would issue the Occupy LSX with a formal letter asking them to remove their tents.
If that has no effect, legal action could begin in the High Court as soon as tomorrow or on Thursday, a spokesman told City A.M. Councillors believe that provisions under the Highways Act 1980 will allow them to evict activists.
The corporation insists it has no problem with peaceful protests but “campsites and important highways don’t mix”.
Paternoster Square remains sealed off, with restaurants and bars concerned that revenues are down since the occupation began.
Yesterday protesters marked Halloween by running through the City dressed as “corporate zombies”.