Axe for columnist in anti-semitism row

Sunday Times Ireland columnist Kevin Myers will not write again for the paper, a spokesman said.

The newspaper said it abhorred anti-semitism after Mr Myers noted that two of the best-paid female presenters at the BBC, Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, were Jewish in an article on the corporation’s gender pay gap.

Sunday Times editor Martin Ivenshasapologisedpersonally to the two women for these “unacceptable comments both to Jewish people and to women in the workplace”.

A 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 the article was unacceptable.

“It has been taken down and we sincerely apologise, both for the remarks and the error of judgment that led to publication.”

Mr Myers has been an outspoken commentator for a range of newspapers in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for many years. 0 Kevin Myers has a history of controversial articles

His comments about Ms Winklemanandmsfeltzin Sunday’s edition prompted a backlash. He had written: “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-withall-hands stupidity.”

As part of his article on the pay gap, Mr Myers also argued that men usually work harder, get sick less frequently and seldom get pregnant.

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