B.C. minister stepping down over remarks about Middle East

B.C. Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson is resigning from her cabinet position after sparking widespread outrage by describing Israel as having been founded on a "crappy piece of land."

B.C. Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson is resigning from her cabinet position after sparking widespread outrage by describing Israel as having been founded on a "crappy piece of land."

Premier David Eby announced Robinson was stepping down Monday afternoon, following growing calls for her removal over the weekend.

"We have reached a challenging but necessary decision," Eby said. "The depth of the work that Minister Robinson needs to do in order to address the harms that she's caused is significant, and it is incompatible with her continuing as minister."

Robinson, who represents the Coquitlam-Maillardville riding will remain in the B.C. NDP caucus, the premier said.

This is a developing story and will be updated. Previous story by The Canadian Press follows. 

B.C. Premier David Eby is making an unscheduled media availability at the cabinet office in Vancouver amid mounting calls for the removal of Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson over remarks about the Middle East.