Harvard University president QUITS after sparking outrage with antisemitism comments

Following this, her work was subject to scrutiny and plagiarism allegations were made against her.

Announcing her resignation, she said it was in the "best interests" of the university for her to step down.

"It is with a heavy heart but a deep love for Harvard that I write to share that I will be stepping down as president. This is not a decision I came to easily,” she said in a statement.

"Indeed, it has been difficult beyond words because I have looked forward to working with so many of you to advance the commitment to academic excellence that has propelled this great university across centuries.

"But, after consultation with members of the Corporation, it has become clear that it is in the best interests of Harvard for me to resign so that our community can navigate this moment of extraordinary challenge with a focus on the institution rather than any individual."

Gay, Harvard’s first Black president, quit her job just six months and two days into the role.

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Her period in charge of the exclusive Ivy League university is the shortest in its history.

Last month, Gay said calls for the killing of Jews were abhorrent but that antisemitic comments would have to be assessed based on their context to see if they had violated Harvard's code of conduct.

Her comments prompted a widespread backlash and she later apologised in an interview with the university's student newspaper.

Harvard has announced that Gay will resume her faculty position at the university.

Following this, several allegations of plagiarism have resurfaced against Gay.

Harvard's board investigated the claims, however said that she did not violate "standards for research misconduct".

Gay will be temporarily replaced by Alan Garber, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, whilst the university searches for a new leader.

Defending the former president, Harvard said: "While President Gay has acknowledged missteps and has taken responsibility for them, it is also true that she has shown remarkable resilience in the face of deeply personal and sustained attacks."

"While some of this has played out in the public domain, much of it has taken the form of repugnant and in some cases racist vitriol directed at her through disgraceful emails and phone calls. We condemn such attacks in the strongest possible terms."