Rugby league commentator Warren Ryan has quit his job with long-time employer the ABC after being stood down before an investigation into allegations he made a racist remark on air.

“The ABC has suspended me pending an investigation, so I have resigned to save them the trouble of conducting it,” Ryan said.

“I have outlined my reasons for not wanting to continue there in a letter to them.”

• ABC duo slam colleagues over racist comment

Ryan and his colleague David Morrow were suspended last month after the two-time premiership coach allegedly used the term “old darky” during the call of the Sydney Roosters-Canterbury match.

The 73-year-old made no apologies as he ended a career spanning more than two decades at the station.

“As for the injustice done to David Morrow in standing him down, he wasn’t even listening when I was comparing a blow-up on the field between the ref and a player to a scene in the film Gone with the Wind,” said Ryan.

“It can’t be racist cause it comes from a movie … made 75 years ago” http://t.co/Q5V3XbKK9z

— Count Hex a-Lot (@elronxenu) June 8, 2014

Feel sorry for Warren Ryan. he was relating a story fro the cotton fields days. I heard it. I was not offended and I am black.

— Carol Carlse (@CCarlse) June 8, 2014

“David was busy retrieving other sports results from his smartphone.

“He only rejoined the commentary as I finished describing the humorous movie scene.

“The word used to describe the character was a direct quote from the film. There was no offence intended, so I won’t be apologising. It would be insincere.

“Furthermore, there is no appeasing those who are determined to be offended.

“In effect, I’ve brought forward my intended end of season retirement date.”