AUSTRALIA: Australia's governor-general Dr Peter Hollingworth was considering his future last night after a rape charge against him was dropped, writes Padraig Collins from Sydney.
The civil case against Dr Hollingworth was dismissed yesterday morning after the family of Rosemarie "Annie" Jarmyn asked for it to be withdrawn. Ms Jarmyn, who died last month, claimed that the governor-general had raped her 40 years ago.
Dr Hollingworth stood aside from his position on May 11th when the charge against him had become public.
Prior to that, though, there had been widespread calls for the governor-general's resignation after an internal Anglican Church report found that Dr Hollingworth, when he was Archbishop of Brisbane, allowed a known paedophile to remain a priest.
Dr Hollingworth released a video statement yesterday saying the allegation made against him was baseless and that he will now consider his long-term future.
"The court recognised that I have strongly and unequivocally denied the allegations, which could never be proved and have no legal consequence whatsoever," he said.
"Now that the court has dismissed the claim, I can do no more than swear my innocence under God just as I would have before the court under oath."
He repeated he did not know Mrs Jarmyn and did not rape her.
"Now that this accusation has been disposed of, I am able to give proper consideration to my longer-term tenure as governor-general."
Australia's Prime Minister Mr John Howard said yesterday that he is leaving it up to the governor-general to decide on his future in the position.
However, the federal opposition leader, Mr Simon Crean of the Labor Party, said Mr Howard now has no other option but to dismiss Dr Hollingworth if he does not resign.