The Bishop of Dover has warned the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire to behave himself if he attends the Lambeth Conference.

Bishop Gene Robinson has been banned from the main conference proper, but was invited to attend fringe "market place" forums supplementary to the main event.

The Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Stephen Venner, advised the visiting bishop to conduct himself in a civil fashion if he comes to the city.

He said: “I think the Bishop’s welcome depends to a certain extent on him. If he is able to graciously enter into conversations, then I hope he will be heard and treated with respect.

“If he comes wanting to create real problems, to break the conference up, or to make statements of a histrionic nature – I have no reason to believe that he will, but he could – then that would not be helpful to anyone.”

He added: "The Lambeth Conference is one of the pieces of real power Archbishops of Canterbury have had ever since it started in the 19th century.

"Attendance has been by personal invitation of the Archbishop. He can invite who he likes. He can vet who he likes."

Pressed for his views on the key issues of women bishops and gay bishops, he said: "I do support women bishops.

"On gay bishops, I take the traditional stance our Archbishop has taken. I am open to learn new things and for the church to learn new truths.

"But at the moment, I prefer to be very conservative and traditional in my thinking on this issue."

The Rt Rev Venner was seen weeping at the end of a debate on accepting women bishops to the church at the York Synod last week.