Dawkins and Winston clash in Reiss row

Two of Britain's best-known scientists - Richard Dawkins and Lord (Robert) Winston (pictured) - are at loggerheads today (not for the first time) after the director of education at the Royal Society, the country’s top scientific institution, was forced to step down following pressure from several of the society's leading fellows.

Professor Michael Reiss has lost his job after he appeared to suggest in a speech last week that creationism should be taught in schools alongside evolution. A biologist, as well as an ordained Church of England minister, he suggested that teachers risked alienating children who believed in the idea by dismissing it out of hand.

His suggestion caused dismay among several leading fellows including Nobel Prize winners Sir Harry Kroto and Sir Richard Roberts who both called for him to go. Dawkins, also a Royal Society fellow and a prominent atheist, declared: "A clergyman in charge of education for the country's leading scientific organisation - it's a Monty Python sketch."

Reiss claimed his remarks had been misinterpreted. He was merely arguing that creationism should be discussed if pupils raised it. He said teachers "should take the time to explain how science works and why creationism has no scientific basis."

At first the Royal Society tried to close ranks behind Reiss. But no longer. A spokesman said on Tuesday: "Some of Professor Michael Reiss's recent comments, on the issue of creationism in schools, while speaking as the Royal Society's Director of Education, were open to misinterpretation. While it was not his intention, this has led to damage to the society's reputation.

"As a result, Professor Reiss and the Royal Society have agreed that, in the best interests of the society, he will step down immediately as director of education – a part-time post he held on secondment. He is to return, full-time, to his position as Professor of Science Education at the Institute of Education."

Now the Royal Society faces a backlash from those who feel that Reiss has been treated unfairly. The fertility pioneer Professor Lord Winston says: "This individual was arguing that we should engage with and address public misconceptions about science - something that the Royal Society should applaud."