Ewa Sowinska, the Polish Children's Ombudsman who resigned from her post yesterday, has said that the bad atmosphere created around her, mainly by the media, made her work impossible.

She also wanted to avoid the unprecedented procedure of dismissing a Children's Ombudsman during his or her tenure. Parliament was to vote on replacing her as Ombudsman.

At a press conference, Sowinska defended herself from charges levelled at her by stressing that as the Children's Ombudsman, she had always acted in accordance to her oath and had the good of children at heart.

Sowinska will remain at her post till 30 June, by which time a new Children's Ombudsman will be chosen by parliament.

Ewa Sowinska has been the Children's Ombudsman since April 2006.

She was an MP of the nationalist League of Polish Families. After her appointment, she remained a staunch supporter of the ultra-conservative Radio Maryja.

Her critics have accused her of bias, and promoting her own ideas while in office instead of concentrating on the good of children. She was mocked all over the world after she proclaimed that Teletubbies promote homosexuality because one of the boy-characters, Tinky Winky, carries a purse. (mo)