ATLANTA — A high-ranking official resigned today from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity after a dispute over whether the group should give funding to Planned Parenthood.

Karen Handel, the charity’s vice president for public policy, told Komen officials that she supported the move to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. She said the discussion started before she arrived at the organization and was approved at the highest levels of the charity.

“I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it,” Handel said in her resignation letter. “I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve.”

Handel had supported a decision that Komen announced last week to exclude Planned Parenthood because it was under government investigation. The charity cited a probe launched by a Florida congressman at the urging of anti-abortion groups.

The breast cancer charity reversed course after its decision created a firestorm of criticism. Members of Congress and Komen affiliates accused the group’s national leadership of bending to anti-abortion activists.

Komen CEO Nancy Brinker denied the decision was driven by pressure from anti-abortion groups.