Former Sussex MP and Conservative immigration minister Charles Wardle has stepped down as a director of London store Harrods.
Mr Wardle took a full-time role at Harrods five months ago after retiring as MP for Bexhill and Battle.
He joined the board in March 2000 in a move which surprised many commentators - as Home Office minister he rejected Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed's application for a British passport in 1993.
Mr Wardle said he was resigning because he wanted to resume an active interest in asylum and immigration issues and pursue other business interests.
He added his international public affairs role at Harrods had become "a very different proposition" since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
He said: "I have the greatest respect for Mohamed Al Fayed. We have made great progress with his international businesses.
"We have come to an agreement with which we are both fully satisfied."
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