Allen West denies getting fired for calling woman a 'Jewish American princess'

Former Rep. Allen West (R-FL) will not be working for a conservative online broadcaster but insists he was not fired from his position, Buzzfeed reported on Thursday.

Both West and PJ Media investor Aubrey Chernick released statements to staffers on Sept. 16 saying West would leave the company effective Oct. 1, each of them saying West's departure was voluntary. West had been working for PJ Media as the director of programming for NextGeneration.TV while hosting his own show since January 2013.

"No I didn't get fired," West told Buzzfeed. "I'm leaving to pursue political aspirations. That's it. There'll be a statement that comes out and it's effective in October."

But when asked to comment on whether he told a female employee to "shut up" and called her a "Jewish American princess," West told Buzzfeed, "There was an exchange, that's all."

In his memo to PJ Media staff, West said, "I will be giving up my position as director of programming at Next Generation.TV to get back on the front lines to expand the message of constitutional conservatism across our country."

The same month he was hired at PJ Media, West told CNN that the idea of women serving in the military was "an equality trip." In 2011, he called Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) "nasty" and "not a lady"

In his own memo to PJ Media staff, Chernick also framed West's departure as voluntary, writing, "I thank Allen for all his dedication, hard work and contributions in launching Next Generation.TV and in establishing our Washington, D.C. presence and studio. I speak for all of us when I wish Allen the very best experiences and outcomes in his future endeavors."

[Image via CNN]