THE first woman to become Oxford University’s Professor of Poetry today said she had been silly and naive but denied purposely smearing her rival for the post.

Ruth Padel, who resigned from the post last night, admitted emailing journalists to highlight allegations against the favourite for the job.

Prof Padel, a great-great granddaughter of Charles Darwin, became the first woman to hold the post in its 301-year history when she was elected last week.

Former favourite Derek Walcott, 79, stood down after an anonymous-letter campaign which reportedly detailed an allegation of sexual harassment made against him.

Speaking at the Hay Festival of Literature in Wales, Prof Padel said she had played no part in that anonymous campaign.

She said: "I have acted throughout in complete good faith, but I can, of course, see that people can misconstrue that.”

She added: "I have had hundreds of emails of support and I have had other emails saying other things.

"I do think I was very silly to send the emails."

She said she decided to stand down from the post after learning opinion in Oxford was "bitterly divided".

Mr Walcott is working in America and was unavailable for comment.