Taiwan minister quits over off-colour joke

TAIPEI - Agence France-Presse

Taiwan examination minister Lai Feng-wei. Moex.gov.tw

Taiwan's examination minister resigned Wednesday after sparking outrage by making a lewd joke at a staff party.

Lai Feng-wei was heavily criticised by women's groups and others after reportedly making the sexually suggestive remarks during a ministry party last month.

According to the Taipei-based Apple Daily, when Lai was asked to pick winners in a prize draw he used the off-colour language, which included: "Deeper, deeper." He apologised to the public during a press conference but criticism continued and he tendered his resignation to President Ma Ying-jeou.

"The president respected the decision and has approved his resignation," Ma's spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi told AFP.