Queen’s man in Australia resigns following rape allegations

THE Governor General of Australia announced yesterday he has offered to resign as nominal head of state following rape accusations and separate allegations that he did not act against child-abusing clergy when he was an Anglican Church archbishop in the 1990s.

Governor General Peter Hollingworth, who stepped aside earlier this month, denied any wrongdoing, but the scandals meant he should quit permanently.“Despite the misplaced and unwarranted allegations made against me as Governor General, it is clear that continuing public controversy has the potential to undermine and diminish my capacity to uphold the importance, dignity and integrity of this high office,” Mr Hollingworth said in a statement issued in Sydney.

“It is with deep regret and after much thought that I have today advised the Prime Minister that I wish to resign from the office of Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia,” he added.