Twelve Anglican church leaders have announced they no longer consider the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to be the leader of the global communion after his decision to allow blessings for gay partnerships.

The leaders - who say they represent 75% of Anglicans worldwide - accused the Church of England of having taken "the path of false teaching", and going against "historical biblical faith."

They include the primates of South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Congo, and Alexandria in Egypt. Blessings for same-sex civil partnerships were approved by the Church of England's legislative assembly, the General Synod, earlier this month.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said he appreciates the bishops' stance, but no structural changes to the Anglican Communion could be made without his consent.