A NORTH Tyne man who was asked to resign by Pope Francis following a dispute over a condom distribution programme is back at home in Tynedale.

Matthew Festing, former Grand Master of the ancient Catholic order, the Knights of Malta, stepped down from the post he has held for the last nine years following an inquiry into his decision to dismiss one of his deputies.

Mr Festing held Albrecht Boeselager responsible for the distribution of the contraceptives through the Knights’ charity branch in Myanmar, but Mr Boeselager reportedly insisted he was not aware of the programme, which had been an anti-HIV initiative.

The Pope intervened and asked Mr Festing, a former Sotheby’s auctioneer and Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland, to step down during a meeting on January 24.

Mr Boeselager has since been reinstated as Grand Chancellor of the order.

Speaking from his home in Tarset Mr Festing told the Hexham Courant it was too soon to comment on the situation.

He added: “What I will say is that I am delighted to no longer be in Rome and extremely happy to be back home in Northumberland.”