Television presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk has stepped down from his job at the BBC following anti-Arab comments he made in a Sunday newspaper, it was announced tonight.
The presenter said he was quitting Kilroy because he recognised his remarks in a Sunday newspaper had caused "difficulties" for the BBC.
In a joint statement, the Corporation said Kilroy-Silk's "highly controversial views" were not compatible with the role of a presenter on a topical discussion programme.
In the Sunday Express article, headlined "We owe the Arabs nothing", Kilroy-Silk asked: "What do (Arabs) think we feel about them? That we admire them for being suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors?
Announcing his decision, Kilroy-Silk was unrepentant about the comments he made in a Sunday Express column.
"I have been overwhelmed by the support from the general public, and I continue to believe that it is my right to express my views, however uncomfortable they may be.
"However, I recognise the difficulties this has caused the BBC, and I believe my decision is the right way to resolve the situation," he said.
The former Labour MP said: "I believe this is the right moment to leave the programme and concentrate my energies in other directions.
"I will continue to lead the Kilroy Television Company Ltd and in addition to our existing commitments to the BBC, we will be bringing new ideas and programmes to the BBC and other broadcasters."
Ms Jana Bennett, the BBC's director of television, said Kilroy-Silk's comments made his position as host of topical discussion show untenable.
She said: "I would like to say that this has never been about freedom of speech. Presenters of this kind of programme have a responsibility to uphold the BBC's impartiality.
"This does not mean that people who express highly controversial views are not welcome on the BBC but they cannot be presenters of a news, current affairs or topical discussion programme."