Police are investigating a report of an assault following an incident involving Enoch Burke and the head of the Church of Ireland.

A video posted on social media by former teacher Burke shows him confronting and grabbing the arm of Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell.

A spokesperson for the church said Burke and members of his family approached the archbishop following a funeral service at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral on Thursday.

Burke has been in a long-running legal battle for defying court orders to stay away from a school that dismissed him for gross misconduct.

The dismissal arose out of his refusal to obey a direction of the school that a transgender pupil be addressed as 'they' and "because of his gross misconduct at a school religious service (and other events) and the manner in which he conducted his objection to transgenderism", according to the legal judgement.

The school also obtained an injunction restraining Mr Burke from trespassing on the school premises, which he has defied a number of times.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it was investigating a report of an assault on a member of the clergy.

"Police enquiries are ongoing," a spokesperson added.

In the video, Burke, along with another man, confronts McDowell and grabs his arm before the Archbishop says "you are assaulting me".

He accuses McDowell of staying "silent" after Burke said he was in a "prison cell for 700 days".

McDowell continues to tell Burke that he is "assaulting" him and "preventing me from going about my lawful business".

He then says: "If you keep assaulting me, I am going to report you to the police."

Another member of the church tells Burke "you are in the grounds of a cathedral at a funeral".

A Church of Ireland spokesperson said it was a matter of "deep concern and sadness" that the Burke family had confronted the archbishop in a "particularly hostile and aggressive manner" following the funeral service for a rector of the diocese who died last week.

"No respect was shown for the occasion or the sanctity of the cathedral grounds," they continued.

"Entry onto the See House property, which is a private residence, is a further concern."

The Church said it would assist police with their enquiries and would make no further comment until the investigation was complete.