Richard Dawkinswants "a public apology" from a California radio station that cancelled an event with the scientist because of his “abusive speech against Islam”.

The influential academic and writer was scheduled to speak about his memoir A Brief Candle in the Dark at an event organised by Berkeley’s KPFA Radio next month.

But KPFA has now cancelled the talk, citing his "hurtful speech" against Islam.

“We had booked this event based entirely on his excellent new book on science, when we didn’t know he had offended and hurt – in his tweets and other comments on Islam – so many people," KPFA wrote in an email to ticket buyers.