VIDEO: Martin Bashir resigns for remark about Sarah Palin

British journalist Martin Bashir has been forced to resign from his job presenting a US political talk show over a remark he made about former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin.

Mr Bashir launched a stinging attack on Palin after she suggested America's national debt situation was comparable to slavery.

Bashir, who was born in London but had presented a weekly show on the MSNBC network since 2011, suggested Sarah Palin should have someone defecate in her mouth.

The broadcaster, best known for interviewing Princess Diana, told the story of Thomas Thistlewood, a landowner whose diaries recalled how he would punish rebellious slaves by making others defecate and urinate in their mouths.

Bashir told viewers the US politician was "scraping the barrel of her long-deceased mind", adding: "When Mrs Palin invokes slavery, she doesn't just prove her rank ignorance, she confirms that if anyone truly qualified for a dose of discipline from Thomas Thistlewood, then she would be the outstanding candidate."

The remarks drew fury from Mrs Palin's representatives, who demanded to know what disciplinary action the network was taking over the "appalling statement".

Accepting Mr Bashir’s resignation, MSNBC's president, Phil Griffin, thanked him for "three great years" at the network.

In a statement, Mr Bashir said: "I deeply regret what was said. My words were wholly unacceptable. They were neither accurate, nor fair.

"They were unworthy of anyone who would claim to have an interest in politics. And they have brought shame upon my friends and colleagues at this network, none of whom were responsible for the things that I said, and at a place where we try every day to elevate political discourse and to focus on issues that matter to all of us."

“It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments."