World: Stockholm - Albrecht quits Metro International board

Campaign 21-Jan-05

Hans-Holger Albrecht, the chief executive of the Swedish media company The Modern Times Group, has resigned from the board of Metro International following the revelation he used a racially abusive slur at a speech in Stockholm in 2003.

Albrecht, a German, quoted remarks attributed to the former West German president Heinrich Lubke, made during a state visit to Liberia in 1962.

Albrecht claimed he was making a joke about Germans' poor public-speaking skills, but said: "I accept responsibility for my unfortunate comment and the unintended consequences."

Steve Nylund, the president of Metro International's US operation, has also been forced out of his post for using a racist term at a separate dinner in 2003. He remains with the company.