TV evangelist Pat Robertson last night resigned from the board of the UK fashion chain Laura Ashley only four months after his appointment, writes Lynne Robertson.
The move came only days after the Bank of Scotland severed its links with the US businessman in a #3.5m deal amid concern over his outspoken critical views on feminism, homosexuality, and social issues.
The bank became the target of a concerted campaign to pull out of a deal with Mr Robertson's business interests in a multi-million pound plan to launch a US telephone banking service. At the height of the campaign, the preacher condemned Scotland as ''a dark land'' because of its tolerance of gays.
Yesterday's departure was welcomed by the gay rights group, Outrage, which claimed it represented a victory for the consumer.
Mr Robertson's decision is understood to have come against the threat of a backlash against the High Street chain.
The resignation emerged in a brief statement from Laura Ashley to the stock market yesterday, which indicated Mr Robertson had written to the board chairman, Malaysian billionaire Dr Kay Peng Khoo, offering to quit.
A company spokeswoman said: ''He did not want Laura Ashley to be dragged through the mud because of him.''
Mr Robertson was appointed a director of Laura Ashley in February by Dr Khoo, a long-standing business associate who has invested in a US Christian holiday resort.
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