According to informed sources, Charles Weld stood down from his post following tensions with the order's worldwide leader, the Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing, over the handling of the case of Vernon Quaintance.
Quaintance was a sacristan who served at the knights' weekly Masses at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, and was convicted of child pornography offences on 19 April.
A spokeswoman for BASMOM said that the Magistral Delegate is examining the Order's governance and that until he presents his proposals, there is nothing more to say.