Sunday Times sacks Kevin Myers over comments on Jewish BBC presenters

The paper says sorry over a column singling out Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz in comments about a gender pay gap at the BBC.

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The Sunday Times has sacked a columnist in Ireland who sparked controversy with comments about high-profile women at the BBC.

Kevin Myers said that two of the best-paid female presenters, Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, were Jewish in an article about the gender pay gap at the Corporation.

The paper's editor Martin Ivens said the remarks in Sunday's Irish edition were not acceptable and should never have been published.

A spokesperson later said Mr Myers would not be writing for the paper again.

The spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Kevin Myers will not write again for The Sunday Times Ireland.

"A printed apology will appear in next week's paper."

Mr Ivens said earlier: "It has been taken down and we sincerely apologise, both for the remarks and the error of judgement that led to publication."

Mr Myers has penned a number of outspoken columns for various newspapers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for many years.

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Vanessa Feltz is one of the highest paid women at the BBC

Writing that Ms Winkleman and Ms Feltz are Jewish he said: "Good for them. Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity."

Mr Myers also argued that men usually work harder, get sick less frequently and seldom get pregnant.

The article only appeared in the Irish edition.

Ireland Editor of the Sunday Times Frank Fitzgibbon said the column contained views that had caused considerable distress and upset to a number of people.

"As the editor of the Ireland edition, I take full responsibility for this error of judgement.

"This newspaper abhors anti-Semitism and did not intend to cause offence to Jewish people."

Before Mr Myers was sacked, the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism had asked for confirmation that Mr Myers would never again work for a News UK title and asked for an apology.

Sky News