OCCUPY LONDON - Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral resigns from his post

The Occupy London Stock Exchange

Canon Fraser

Canon Dr Giles Fraser, who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside the London landmark, is expected to announce his resignation within days.

Differences over the handling of the protest are thought to have prompted his decision. St Paul's, which closed last week, could reopen to the public on Friday.

The cathedral was shut over fears of "significant issues" with health and safety concerning the Occupy London Stock Exchange (OLSX) camp.

When it was first set up, Canon 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, considered it a resigning matter. According to sources, the Canon sympathises with the protesters and found it difficult to take action again them.

Canon Fraser has considered his position untenable and has announced his resignation from the governing cathedral chapter with effect from Thursday.

The cathedral has claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day in donations 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.