Former Leyton Orient owner Barry Hearn has taken to social media this morning to quit as the east London Club's honorary president.

Hearn ran the club for 19 years before selling to Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti in 2014 for what is believed to be for £4million.

The Matchroom Sport chairman said the decision came due to the absence of staff wages for the month of march.

In a statement, he released online on the Matchroom Sport website Hearn said: "It is with sadness that I have decided to resign my honorary role as Life President of Leyton Orient FC with immediate effect.

"I cannot be associated in any way with a club/business that does not pay the wages and salaries of its hard working staff, players and officials.

"I hope for everyone’s sake that the stewardship of the club is resolved as quickly as possible and everyone will be repaid all that they are owed."

The 68-year-old has previously pulled no punches over the Italians ownership and admitted he never saw this coming. 

In a short statement on the Matchroom website, he said:"It is with sadness that I have decided to resign my honorary role as life president of Leyton Orient with immediate effect.

"I cannot be associated in any way with a club/business that does not pay the wages and salaries of its hard working staff, players and officials.

"I hope for everyone’s sake that the stewardship of the club is resolved as quickly as possible and everyone will be repaid all that they are owed."