A throwaway remark by an influential radio talk show host, describing a college women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos”, has ignited a firestorm of protest and a national debate about the casual racism that haunts American society.

Don Imus, whose iconoclastic morning show regularly features interviews with politicians including presidential candidates, has been suspended for two weeks as black leaders clamour for his dismissal and urge a boycott of his programme.

Today members of the Rutgers women’s college basketball team - eight of whom are black - appeared at a press conference simultaneously broadcast live on three TV networks to describe their hurt and anger at Mr Imus’s “racist, despicable and abominable” comments.

In his show last Wednesday, following their defeat in the national championship final against the University of Tennessee, he told listeners: “That’s some rough girls from Rutgers...Man, they got tattoos - that’s some nappy-headed hos there.”

The phrase “nappy-headed” refers to the tight curls of afro-textured hair, while “hos” is slang for whores.

The controversy surrounding Mr Imus, an institution in American radio, reached the White House where President Bush’s spokesman was asked if he believed the punishment was sufficent. Dana Perio said his apology was “the absolute right thing to do”.

The team’s basketball coach, C. Vivian Stringer, praised the accomplishments of a team which had bounced back from early season defeats to go an a fairy-tale run to the national championship final, saying “no-one believed in them but them”.

She added: “They are young ladies of class, distinction, they are articulate, they are brilliant, they are gifted. They are God’s representatives in every sense of the word.”

Essence Carson, the team’s leader, said: “Not only has Mr Imus stolen a moment of pure grace from us but he has brought us to the harsh reality that, behind the faces of the networks that have worked so hard to convey a message of empowerment to young adults, somehow - or some way - the door had been left open to attack the leaders of tomorrow.”

The team has agreed to meet with the veteran “shock jock” at a private location in the near future where Mr Imus has promised to deliver the latest of several apologies he has issued over recent days.”We just hope to come to some type of understanding of what the remarks really entailed, his reasons why they were said,” Ms Carson explained. She dismissed a question about the frequent use of similar language in black music, saying: “All that matters is that it’s wrong.”

Mr Imus, 66, has tried to defend himself, saying: “I’m a good person, but I said a bad thing.” On Monday, he appeared on the radio show of the Rev Al Sharpton, one of several black leaders calling for him to be sacked.

At one point he appeared to have got himself into more trouble as he referred to “you people”. The Rev Sharpton said: “Who is ’you people,’ Mr. Imus?” Mr Imus responded: “You and this woman I’m talking to - don’t try to hang that on me. That’s jive.” The Rev Sharpton shot back: ’What’s ’jive’?”

Such exchanges reflect the acute sensitivity in discussing race in America. In the past year both Mel Gibson, who launched an anti-Semitic tirade against a police officer, and Michael Richards, a comedian best known for playing “Kramer” on Seinfeld who spewed racial epithets during a stand up routine, have been in the eye of similar storms.

Mr Imus’s show has been in trouble for racism before. In 2000 he made on pledge on air to cease insulting black athletes and end “references to noncriminal blacks as thugs, pimps, muggers, and Colt 45 drinkers”.

This followed comments about the tennis stars, Venus and Serena Williams, from his sportcaster, Sid Rosenberg, who said: “I can’t even watch them play anymore. I find it disgusting...One time my friend he goes, ‘Listen, one of these days you’re going to find Venus and Serena Williams in Playboy.’ I said, ‘You got a better shot at National Geographic.”

NBC also served notice that it would not tolerate insensitive remarks in the future. “Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word,” said a spokesman.

The Don Imus show attracts around three million viewers and listeners each week and is carried simultaneously by some TV channels.

Senator Christopher Dodd announced his presidential candidacy on air and he has had interviews with other leading candidates such as John McCain. Mr McCain said he would still be happy to appear on “Imus in the Morning”.

Over the years Mr Imus or his cast have called Colin Powell a “weasel,” New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson a “fat sissy”, the New York Knicks basketball team as “chest-thumping pimps” and black journalist Gwen Ifill a “cleaning lady”.

He recently called Hillary Clinton “that buck-toothed witch, Satan” compared Dick Cheney to a serial killer

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