The chairman of the Royal College of Nursling's governing council has resigned after making a remark about "10 little niggers" at a meeting.

Pat Bottrill made the comment in reference to an Agatha Christie whodunit when calling council members back to a meeting - two of the body's members are black as is the RCN general secretary chief, Dr Beverley Malone.

"The decision confirms that the RCN collectively is committed to fighting institutional discrimination in all its forms," said Dr Malone.