Knowles' resignation comes just days after Reverend Giles Fraser, Chancellor of the cathedral, quit in opposition to planned legal action he said could result in violence done in the name of the church. Knowles said mounting criticism of the cathedral's handing of the protests which have occupied the square in front of the cathedral for the past two weeks had made his position untenable. "Since the arrival of the protesters' camp outside the cathedral, we have all been put under a great deal of strain and have faced what would appear to be some insurmountable issues," Knowles said in a statement. The protesters, inspired by similar 'Occupy' protests around the globe, are demonstrating for greater wealth inequality and financial reform.