New Delhi:
As the New Zealand TV host resigned following sparking diplomatic protest after his racial slur, Following is what he wrote in the resignation letter.
Following is the full text of Paul Henry's resignation letter:I have resigned from TVNZ, effective immediately.
It is no longer practical in the current environment for me to do the job I was employed to do, and have so enjoyed doing. It is also difficult for TVNZ to get on with the business of being a first class broadcaster as long as I remain.
I have apologised twice, and have meant every word. I again apologise to all those who were genuinely hurt by what I said.
However, it is clear that things have now reached a point where my actions will have to speak louder than my words.
I am astonished and dismayed that my comments have created a diplomatic incident. My style is conversational and of course unscripted. I walk the finest of lines and accept that I have inadvertently crossed it from time to time. But I recognise the realities of the situation.
I do not want to continue to be used as a lightning rod for racial disharmony in this country. Likewise, I certainly do not want to have my elderly mother staked out at her nursing home by tabloid media, as has happened this weekend.
I will miss the professionalism and friendship of the brilliant production team I have worked with, and I will miss the fun and satisfaction of having doubled the audience for Breakfast in the last few years. The programme is great - and I'm sure its success will continue.
To be honest, most of all I'll miss Pippa.
I am grateful to the many thousands of people who have offered their support to me. I hope they will understand and accept that an extraordinary convergence of circumstances has made this action necessary.
I am saddened by this whole episode - sad that I crossed the line in the first place, and sad that an employer I have always served with pride has had to suffer slings and arrows.
To all those who have enjoyed Breakfast - thank you. It has been a privilege to have been part of your mornings for the last seven years.