Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has resigned after the firm admitted falsifying car emissions.

In a statement Mr Winterkorn accepts the responsibility for using a software which avoids certain pollutants being emitted from cars.

He said: “As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group. I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part.”

Mr Winterkorn added the company must continue with “the process of clarification and transparency” as a way to “win back trust”.

The European Commission said it doesn’t have the powers to launch an EU-wide investigation into Volkswagen falsifying car emissions.