David Ison appointed St Paul's new dean

A new dean of St Paul's Cathedral has been appointed nearly five
months after his predecessor resigned in the wake of the row over
anti-capitalist protesters camped outside the landmark church.

The Very Rev Dr David Ison, 57, Dean of Bradford, will take up the senior post in May, following the resignation of the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles on October 31.

The Rt Rev Knowles quit his post shortly before St Paul's announced that it was suspending legal action against the Occupy London protesters.

The protest forced a week-long closure of the cathedral, the first time it had been closed since the Second World War, after officials received a report by health and safety officials.

The protesters were finally evicted last week from outside St Paul's after legal action by the City of London Corporation.

The post of Canon Chancellor of St Paul's, vacant after Dr Giles Fraser resigned rather than see the protesters evicted by force, has not yet been filled.

Dr Ison, who is married with four children, has been Dean of Bradford since 2005.

"My appointment as Dean of St Paul's has been as unexpected for me as the vacancy itself was unanticipated," he said.

"The upheavals of the last few months at St Paul's, and the underlying spiritual, social, economic and political issues which they highlight for our country, are very much on the agenda for the Cathedral in London - but they are also issues for people, churches and cathedrals across the country.

"Even Bradford has had an Occupy camp, although it was in front of City Hall rather than at the Cathedral."

The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, said: "I am delighted that St Paul's Cathedral is to have as its new dean a man of such warmth, ability and stature as David Ison.

"I am sad that Bradford will be losing a dean who has done extraordinary work in the last six-and-a-half years for the good of the diocese, the city and its diverse people."

PA