The McCain-picked leader of the Republican national convention has resigned after a report revealed his lobbying ties with Myanmar.

Doug Goodyear, chief executive of the lobbying firm DCI Group, resigned a few hours after Newsweek revealed on Saturday that his company was paid to represent Myanmar's junta in 2002 and 2003.

DCI has reportedly been a pioneer in running 'independent' expenditure campaigns by so-called 527 groups. Senator John McCain supposedly denounces this kind of operations.

"Today I offered the convention my resignation so as not to become a distraction in this campaign," Goodyear said in a statement.

"I continue to strongly support John McCain for president, and wish him the best of luck in his campaign," he added.

The revelation comes as speculation had already been fueled that the presumptive Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, is surrounded by lobbyists.

MD/HAR