Britain's senior-most Roman Catholic cleric resigned today after being accused of "inappropriate acts" towards fellow priests and said he would not take part in the election of the next Pope this week.         

Cardinal Keith O'Brien said he had announced in November that he was planning to resign ahead of his 75th birthday in March in view of his "indifferent health". 

"The Holy Father has now decided that my resignation will take effect today, 25 February 2013," the 74-year-old cardinal said and informed that he will not attend the papal conclave in Rome this week to elect Pope Benedict's replacement, leaving Britain unrepresented in the election.         

O'Brien, who had also skipped Sunday mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh, had been due to fly out to the Vatican tomorrow for the long conclave to choose the new Pope.         

Pope Benedict, who steps down on Thursday, has accepted the resignation as Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, said in a statement.         

He said the pontiff would appoint an apostolic administrator to govern the archdiocese in his place until his successor is appointed.