Sunderland FC's chief executive Margaret Byrne resigns over Johnson case: Her resignation statement in full

Sunderland FC's chief executive Margaret Byrne has apologised for the "serious error of judgement" in the wake of the Adam Johnson child abuse case.

Byrne has resigned from her post and issued a statement saying the footballer "should not have been permitted to play again, irrespective of what he was going to plead".

Footballer Adam Johnson, 28, admitted grooming and kissing a 15-year-old fan and Sunderland Football Club faced questions about what they knew leading up to his trial.

The key issue revolved around whether or not the club knew Johnson had admitted he'd kissed his 15-year-old victim and sent sexually suggestive messages.

ITV News Correspondent Neil Connery reports

Johnson was originally suspended by the club but was reinstated to play after being charged, appearing 28 times for the club, including scoring in his last game for Sunderland against Liverpool.

Sunderland FC's chief executive Margaret Byrne said in a statement today she was "astounded" when he did plead guilty.

Here is the statement in full: