AceShowbiz -

A&E's main reason of suspending Phil Robertson from "Duck Dynasty" is their employee. The network put the conservative family man on indefinite hiatus after he spoke against homosexuality on an interview with GQ.

According to TMZ, A&E CEO Nancy Dubuc took the decision to respect their gay employees. She would not have the employees work hard for the show when its star disrespected them by calling them sinners.

Sources told the website that a number of gay people were involved in the show's production. They were outraged by Robertson's comment and encouraged Dubuc to fire him. Dubuc was also strongly lobbied by GLAAD to give Robertson the ax.

Dubuc felt that Robertson's comments about gays will not create a public outcry as hard as if he had made similar comments about African Americans or Jews. Although A&E has stated that this has nothing to do with "anti religion", Dubuc has reportedly been getting death threats.

Among the people who criticized the CEO's decision were Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol Palin. Sarah said, "Free speech is an endangered species" while Bristol slammed, "I support Phil Robertson and his right to express his faith and his beliefs. Shame on A&E."