Dean resigns over St Paul’s demo

31 October 2011 Last updated at 10:39 ET

There are more than 200 tents around St Paul’s Cathedral

The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Graeme Knowles has resigned, saying he felt his position had become untenable.

It follows weeks of protests outside the cathedral by anti-capitalist protesters, which led to the building being closed for several days.

The news comes as the City of London authorities ordered protesters outside St Paul’s to remove their tents and equipment.

They have been ordered to clear the area within the next 48 hours.

It follows a decision by the City of London Corporation last week to go ahead with court action to clear the area.

The corporation has insisted that the protesters themselves are not being asked to leave the area.

A spokesperson for the corporation confirmed that a letter would be served to protesters on Monday afternoon which would give notice that they needed to remove their equipment and tents.

The spokesperson said if the protesters did not comply the case would go to court.

The Planning and Transportation Committee of Corporation last week voted to go ahead with proceedings to remove the encampment on the grounds that it constitutes an unreasonable use of the highway.

Michael Welbank, the elected member who chaired the committee as its deputy chairman, said after the meeting: “Protest is an essential right in a democracy – but camping on the highway is not and we believe we will have a strong highways case because an encampment on a busy thoroughfare clearly impacts the rights of others.”

Ronan McNern, a supporter of the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest, said it would be up to the general assembly of the protesters how they responded to the notice.

He said: “Every time that the occupiers have been challenged, they have remained calm. We have a just cause and there is absolutely no reason why we would be intimidated. We trust in the people.”

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