Alastair Stewart's former colleagues 'demand to know why he was forced out'

Alastair Stewart 's former co-workers are reportedly demanding to know why he was forced out.

The veteran broadcaster apologised for his "misjudgement" as he announced he was stepping down from his role after 40 years.

Staff at ITN are said to have called a meeting with bosses yesterday to demand answers, reports The Telegraph .

Alastair's former colleagues reportedly want to know why he was forced to leave his job over his "angry ape" tweet that caused a race row.

The 67-year-old newsreader resigned from his role after 40 years, apologising for his "misjudgement".

It comes as 41,000 people have signed a petition calling for Alastair to be reinstated.

The Twitter user who accused the veteran broadcaster of racism has even said that there was no need for him to step down.

The man, Martin Shapland, accused Alastair of racism during a Twitter row over the Crown and the taxpayer.

Alastair quoted Shakespeare play Measure For Measure, writing: "But man, proud man, Dress'd in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd - His glassy essence - like an angry ape"

Mr Shapland, 34, quoting the tweet and added: "Just an @ITV newsreader referring to me as an ape with the cover of Shakespeare.

"Measure for measure, Alistair is a disgrace"

It later emerged that Alastair quoted the same passage to a white Twitter user in 2018.

A number of the journalist's former colleagues have come out in defence of him, rubbishing claims that he intended the quote in a racist manner.

His accuser also spoke out, saying: "An apology and commitment to be more careful about language was all that I would have asked."

Alastair's resignation was announced on Wednesday after "errors of judgment in Alastair’s use of social media", ITN confirmed.

His Twitter profile also appeared to have been deleted.

He said in a statement: "It was a misjudgement which I regret, but it’s been a privilege to bring the news to households throughout the UK for the past 40 years."

Stewart first joined ITV in 1980 and was the longest serving male newsreader.

Mirror Online has contacted ITV for comment.

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