A FORMER adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to quit his job after lying about his Lancaster University qualification.

The Very Rev William Taylor was forced to resign as Dean of Portsmouth after being confronted by the Bishop of Portsmouth over his claim to have a PhD.

Mr Taylor, who had described himself as Dr Taylor, had previously been a personal adviser to the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie.

Mr Taylor was listed in Who's Who and Crockford's as having a PhD from Oxford University.

However, he left Oxford in 1983, after two years, with a Master of Theology.

His entries make no mention of Lancaster University, where he was awarded an MPhil in 1987, a degree which he later claimed had been upgraded to a PhD.

In a statement, the Bishop, the Right Rev Kenneth Stevenson, said: "This has been a difficult time for all concerned but I would like to pay tribute to William's integrity in dealing with this situation.

I wish him well in his future ministry.

This matter is now closed."

A spokesman for the Bishop added: "It is understood that Mr Taylor has a Master of Philosophy from Lancaster University which he falsely claimed to have been upgraded to a doctorate.

We understand the subject was Arabic churches."

A spokesman for Lancaster University confirmed that Mr Taylor received an MPhil but not a PhD.

Mr Taylor, who till lives in Portsmouth, has not been available to comment.