Cardinal Keith O'Brien has admitted that his sexual conduct has at times "fallen beneath the standards expected of me".

In a statement, he apologised and asked forgiveness from those he had "offended".

He also apologised to the Catholic Church, and to the people of Scotland.

The cardinal resigned last Monday after three priests and a former priest made allegations of improper behaviour against him.

Former religious affairs correspondent for the Guardian, Stephen Bates, said the events were ''an exposure of church hierarchy hypocrisy''.