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Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie to leave the paper after column comparing Everton and England ace Ross Barkley to a 'gorilla'

Kelvin MacKenzie is to leave The Sun over a column comparing Everton star Ross Barkley to a gorilla.

The 70-year-old was suspended last month after being accused of racism, although he claimed that he had no idea Barkley, 23, has a Nigerian grandfather.

The newspaper's former editor also said he was one of the 'dimmest footballers' and made slurs about the city of Liverpool.

Today multiple sources have said that Mr MacKenzie has written his last column for the newspaper, which he edited between 1981 and 1994.

His controversial column followed an incident in which the England midfielder was punched in a Liverpool city centre bar.