The move comes less than a month after former chairman Densign White stepped down from the role and was replaced by Kerrith Brown, who won bronze at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, but was expelled from Seoul in 1988 after testing positive for the banned substance furosemide.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to work with chairman Densign White and the British Judo family for the last 10 years," said McCarthy (pictured top).

"The BJA is reaching new heights every year and it has been fantastic to be a part of it.

"The British sporting world is an exciting place to work and I have learned much and enjoyed every minute of it.

"The time has come for the BJA to identify a new energy source in the executive leadership position and it is also the perfect time for me to seek a new challenge."

The announcement comes shortly after McCarthy helped guide Britain to 13th place on the judo medal table at the London 2012 Olympics as Gemma Gibbons claimed silver in the women's -70 kg category and Karina Bryant won bronze in the +78 kg category.

Gemma Gibbons helped ensure a successful London 2012 Olympics for British judo with a silver medal in the women’s -70 kg category

However, the move shows that McCarthy seemingly had no desire to work with Brown, best known for the drug scandal 24 years ago, where he admitted taking the diuretic to treat a swollen knee and was sent home and banned for three months.

The story was big news at the same time as sprinter Linford Christie tested positive for pseudoephedrine, but unlike Brown, controversially escaped being punished because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) accepted his explanation that he had ingested it unknowingly in ginseng tea.

At those Games, Christie was also upgraded to the silver medal in the 100 metres after Canadian Ben Johnson tested positive for anabolic steroids and was stripped of the gold medal.

In the release sent out by the BJA, it was White rather than Brown who paid tribute.

"On behalf of the BJA I would like to thank Scott for the significant role he has played in modernising and growing the BJA over ten strong years in the job," he said.

"The two judo medals at the London Games were the icing on the cake.

"We wish him the best in his future endeavours, which I am sure, will revolve around sport."

BJA chief operating officer Andrew Scoular will assume the role of acting chief executive for an interim period until a permanent successor is found.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]