VATICAN CITY — Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric revealed his resignation Monday, a day after being accused of ‘‘inappropriate acts’’ with priests.

The cleric, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, said he had submitted his resignation months ago, and the Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted it Feb. 18. However, the timing of the announcement — a day after news reports of alleged abuse appeared in Britain — suggested that the Vatican had encouraged the cardinal to stay away from the coming conclave to select a new pope.