Summary Paul Sabapathy is originally from Chennai, India.
LONDON (Web Desk) - The Queen s representative in the West Midlands has resigned over ridiculous comments he made in a leaked email about the Pakistani community.
The Guardian newspaper reported the contents of an email in which lord lieutenant for the region Paul Sabapathy said there was a "lot of work to do" to teach Pakistanis "basic common courtesy and civility".
The email reportedly said: "They talk to themselves and do not engage with the wider community. They are living in the UK not Pakistan."
"Whilst being rightly proud of their Pakistani culture and heritage they need to explain better and engage more with their non-Pakistani brothers and sisters if they want their children to succeed as British Pakistani citizens."
The newspaper added he later apologised "unreservedly and wholeheartedly for the offence I have caused to the Pakistani community and others".
The email was apparently sent after he attended an event in Birmingham marking Pakistan Independence Day on 14 August.
Sabapathy was the first non-white person selected to take the role of lord lieutenant, whose first duty is to "uphold the dignity of the Crown".
He has notified Buckingham Palace of his intention to step down from the role which he has held for nearly eight years.
A statement from the Palace said: "We understand that Paul Sabapathy has informed the Cabinet Office of his decision to step down from his role as lord lieutenant in the West Midlands.
"The royal household would like to acknowledge the tremendous work done by Mr Sabapathy since his appointment in 2007 to support the work of the Royal Family and to bring together and work with the communities in the West Midlands."
Sabapathy, who is originally from Chennai, India, was awarded a CBE in 2004 for services to businesses and education in the West Midlands.
