ONE of the most senior nurses in the country has resigned after making an apparent racist remark.

Pat Bottrill, who was awarded an MBE five years ago for services to nursing, has quit as chairwoman of the Royal College of Nursing's (RCN) governing council over a comment she made last month.

Mrs Bottrill is understood to have referred to the Agatha Christie play Ten Little Niggers as members drifted back to a meeting after a coffee break.

In a statement issued yesterday she said: ''I sincerely regret the remark. Although I did not intend any offence, I am stepping down as chairwoman as a sign of my own and the RCN's commitment to tackling any perceived form of racism.

''The RCN has stated that it will not tolerate racism, even if unintentional, and by my resignation I wish to demonstrate that the organisation means what it says."

Last night, Mrs Bottrill was not at the home in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, which she shares with her husband David.

Mr Bottrill said: "Pat is not here and she really has nothing more to say on this subject."

She recently retired from her senior clinical post as lead nurse in endoscopy services at Newcastle Hospital Trust but continued in her position at the RCN.

The current general secretary of the RCN is Dr Beverly Malone, a black American.

She said: ''Pat has made a personal sacrifice for the good of the RCN.

''She has apologised for the offence her remark caused and I accept that apology on behalf of myself and staff."

Mrs Bottrill's resignation means former vice-chairwoman Jill Jarvis will become acting chairwoman.