Sunday Times columnist 'will not write for paper again' after 'anti-Semitic' article

Sunday Times Ireland columnist Kevin Myers will not write again for the paper after making "unacceptable" comments about Jewish female presenters working at the BBC.

The piece, titled 'Sorry, ladies - equal pay has to be earned,' appeared in the Irish edition of the newspaper, and has been accused of being anti-Semitic.

Referring to the corporation's gender pay gap row, Mr Myers pointed to the fact that two of the best-paid female presenters Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz were Jewish.

"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," he wrote.

The outspoken columnist also argued that men usually work harder and get sick less frequently. He also raised women getting pregnant as a potential issue.

Sunday Times editor Martin Ivens apologised personally to the women, saying: "It has been taken down and we sincerely apologise, both for the remarks and the error of judgment that led to publication."

A Sunday Times 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."

The BBC has been embroiled in a row over an apparent gender pay gap. Credit: PA

Frank Fitzgibbon, editor of the Sunday Times Ireland, apologised "unreservedly" for the column which he said contained views that have 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."

The Campaign Against Anti Semitism had called for Mr Myers to be prevented from working for a News UK title again.

The BBC's director-general Tony Hall has said work is underway to eliminate disparities between how much men and women are paid.

It recently revealed Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans topped the list on more than £2 million, while the highest-paid woman was Winkleman on between £450,000 and £499,999.