Controversial gay bishop Gene Robinson came to Kent saying insisting he was not here to cause trouble.

The American, who has been banned from the main Lambeth Conference, insisted he had only come to discuss issues with clergy and congregations willing to meet him.

He said: "I am not here to protest, disrupt or embarrass. I am open to have conversations with anyone who is willing."

Bishop Robinson spoke just before giving a lecture at St Rumwold Church in Bonnington, Ashford, on Friday.

He is at the centre of a split in the church over the ordaining of gay bishops and his visit to Kent has cause a stir with the Bishop of Dover warning him not to cause problems.

~ Gay bishop told to behave >>>

Bishop Robinson responded: "I am absolutely intrigued that everyone is so fearful. I am not looking to attend anywhere that I am excluded from.

"I hope to have conversations with bishops and remind people that every church around the world has gay and lesbian people.

"I find it alarming that with the laws of England they are quite widely accepted and protected and yet the state church can discriminate.

"It would be nice if the church was leading the way rather than playing catchup with the rest of society in accepting gay and lesbian people."