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Martin Bashir resigns from MSNBC

MSNBC daytime host Martin Bashir has resigned from MSNBC following controversial remarks he made about Sarah Palin, MSNBC president Phil Griffin announced on Wednesday.

"Martin Bashir resigned today, effective immediately. I understand his decision and I thank him for three great years with MSNBC," Griffin said in a written statement. "Martin is a good man and respected colleague -- we wish him only the best."

In his own statement, first published by Mediaite, Bashir announced that he had tendered his resignation following a meeting with Griffin and "further reflection" on his controversial remarks, in which he suggested that the former Alaska governor be forced to endure slavery-like conditions.

(Also on POLITICO: Martin Bashir's original comments to Sarah Palin)

"After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday. Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the President of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation," Bashir wrote. "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."

"I deeply regret what was said, will endeavor to work hard at making constructive contributions in the future and will always have a deep appreciation for our viewers – who are the smartest, most compassionate and discerning of all television audiences," he continued. "I would also wish to express deepest gratitude to my immediate colleagues, and our contributors, all of whom have given so much of themselves to our broadcast."

On his Nov. 15 broadcast, Bashir called Palin "a world class idiot" because she made a comparison to slavery while discussing U.S. debt to China. The host then read an excerpt from the diary of a former plantation manager who wrote of forcing one slave to "S-H-I-T" in another slave's mouth, and said "if anyone truly qualified for a dose of [such] discipline... then she would be the outstanding candidate."

(Also on POLITICO: Rove: Bashir 'disgusting and vile')

Bashir later apologized to Palin and to his viewers for the remarks, calling them "wholly unacceptable" and "deeply offensive."

"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," he said.

Bashir's resignation marks the second high-profile departure from MSNBC in as many weeks. Last week, the network decided to end Alec Baldwin's short-lived Friday night show after the actor made homophobic comments to a New York Post photographer. (In an interview following his own dismissal from the network, Baldwin criticized MSNBC for allowing Bashir to stay on the air.)

Both personalities – Bashir and Baldwin -- were known for making controversial remarks, a quality that made them appealing in a ratings-driven industry but ultimately did them in when they took it a step too far. Other MSNBC hosts have waded into hot water as well: Chris Matthews recently made an untoward joke about New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's weight during a public interview, while Ed Schultz referred to fans of right-wing media entrepreneur Glenn Beck as "dumbass" on live television.

(Also on POLITICO: Palin responds to Bashir)

But Bashir's remarks went above and beyond the usual offensive slight, and public pressure for accountability had been mounting for weeks. On Monday, when POLITICO learned that Bashir would not be hosting his show, MSNBC spokesperson Lauren Skowronski said that Bashir was "on vacation" and denied what sources at the network referred to as a temporary suspension. Skowronski forwarded both Griffin and Bashir's statements to POLITICO on Wednesday.

The network has yet to announce who will replace Bashir in the 4 p.m. hour, though Ronan Farrow, the famous activist and son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, is seen as a likely replacement. In mid-October, MSNBC announced that Farrow would join the network as host of a one-hour daytime show that is set to debut in early 2014.

(WATCH - On Media: MSNBC leans backwards)

Bashir joined MSNBC in 2010 from ABC News, where he had spent five years as a co-host of Nightline. Prior to that he was a journalist for the BBC. He was on vacation in London, where he was born, when he decided to resign.

UPDATE (4:20 p.m.):

MSNBC spokesperson Lauren Skowronski tells POLITICO that Joy-Ann Reid, who has been hosting while Bashir was out for Thanksgiving vacation, will continue to serve as substitute host. The network will have "an announcement about a permanent replacement host in the coming weeks," she said.

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