An Anglican priest who kissed a girl on the cheek while presenting her with a school certificate was investigated for assault in England.

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The Rev. Alan Barrett, vicar of St. Editha's Church in Tamworth, Staffordshire, was cleared by police and church authorities of any wrongdoing, The Telegraph reported. But he has resigned as a governor of the William McGregor Primary School.

The Venerable Chris Liley, the archdeacon of Lichfield, ruled that Barrett's conduct was "inappropriate" -- but not inappropriate enough to require a formal disciplinary hearing.

Police and child welfare authorities launched an investigation after the girl's mother complained. They decided there were no grounds for a criminal charge.

Barrett said he decided to resign as a school governor because he and the head teacher already had a difficult relationship and "this incident has not helped."