A Church of Ireland priest who burned British Legion flags at the two churches in his parish has resigned from his position following an outcry.

Rev Kingsley Sutton was Rector of Newry, in the diocese of Down and Dromore. Last month he removed the flags, which commemorate the dead of the First and Second World Wars, and replaced them with a white flag bearing a single red heart.

He told his congregation at the time that this was an attempt to "make a break with the past". He later incinerated the flags, reported the Belfast Telegraph.

The observation of Remembrance Sunday and the role of the province during the World Wars is a controversial issue for many there. Many in the Catholic and Nationalist community look back to the British army's role in fighting against Irish independence and decline to observe the day or to honour those who died wearing British uniforms. Flag burning is a particularly emotive act as members of both Loyalist and Nationalist communities use it as a gesture of protest. 

It later emerged that Sutton had been ordered not to remove the flags by his bishop, Rt Rev Harold Miller.

Miller asked Sutton to withdraw temporarily from ministry following protests at the removal by parishioners. Sutton issued an apology expressing his regret at what he termed the "damage" he caused by "this inappropriate and unacceptable action". He also apologised to the Select Vestry and parishioners of St Patrick's and St Mary's for "abusing my role as their leader and for causing them deep embarrassment and tremendous stress".

He later resigned from his position.

Bishop Miller wrote to the church expressing his sorrow at recent events and pledging his support. He said that he would spend Remembrance Sunday in Newry and would take services at both churches in the parish. He also said he would meet the Royal British Legion and the Apprentice Boys of Derry to seek a way forward.