Gay priest Reverend David Lord has resigned from the clergy following protests over his gay civil union ceremony to Peter Cowell on May 31st in London.

Lord "felt it appropriate to lay down his clergy license", according to a statement released through the Anglican church in New Zealand.

The Bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, said services of public civil partnerships were not allowed in the Church of England or the diocese of London and has asked the Archdeacon of London, Peter Delaney, to look into it.

Conservatives, especially from Africa accused the couple of undermining the authority of the Bible and the sanctity of marriage.