But Dr Giles Fraser, canon chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral, said it was "outrageous" to compare "something like fiddling expenses with the way people love each other".

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During the wrangle the Reverend Giles Fraser resigned as canon chancellor of St Paul's in support of the protesters.

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The Rev Dr Giles Fraser - former Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral and the current parish priest at St Mary's in Newington, south London, said Bishop Welby was "the right man for the job".

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The Ipsos Mori poll, for the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, was rubbished by the Church, with Reverend Giles Fraser, former Canon Chancellor of St Paul's, saying it was not fair to trump people's "self-identification" as Christians.

BBC: UK

After Dr Fraser's resignation, the Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was "sorry to see him go".

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The Chancellor of St Paul's, the Reverend Canon Dr Giles Fraser, said he supported the right to peaceful protest but defended the move to turn visitors away.

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