Martin Bashir quits MSNBC; says Sarah Palin comments 'ill-judged' WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Martin Bashir, the MSNBC host who suggested former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin should endure a horrifying form of slave punishment, resigned Wednesday. MSNBC President Phil Griffin released a statement thanking Bashir for "three good years at MSNBC" and calling him a "good man and a respected colleague," Politico reported. He said Bashir's resignation was effective immediately. Joy-Ann Reid, who has been filling in for Bashir while he was on vacation, will sub for him until a permanent replacement is named, MSNBC spokeswoman Lauren Skowronski said. Bashir released his own statement, published on Mediaite. After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday. Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the president of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation," Bashir said. It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments. On Nov. 15, Bashir called Palin a "world-class idiot" for comparing U.S. indebtedness to China as slavery. He then read a description of a slave being forced to defecate into another slave's mouth and suggested that might be appropriate for Palin. Bashir, born in London, became known in Britain for interviews with Princess Diana and Michael Jackson. He anchored the ABC News program "Nightline" before joining NBC as a commentator on MSNBC and correspondent for "Dateline NBC."