William Johnson, known as "Pit Bill" for his vigorous defence of English-language rights in Quebec, has stepped down as head of Alliance Quebec.

Johnson announced Tuesday his tactics in the language wars perhaps are too aggressive and are proving ineffective in uniting English-Quebecers.

"There is a time for a bulldozer and there is a time for a diplomat and maybe it's time for a diplomat," Johnson said.

"I see my image and myself as probably an obstacle now to completing the kind of revolution in our community that I envisage, which is to rally all the parts of our community so we have a common voice and speak together."

Johnson, 68, was first elected president in May 1998. He announced Tuesday he will not seek a third term. His mandate ends this spring.

Before announcing his resignation, Johnson revealed a new court challenge to Quebec's language laws. He said Alliance Quebec intends to attack the provincial laws that require all private companies to conduct both internal and business communications in French.

Gail Quinn, a board member of the Voice of English Quebec, said of Johnson's resignation: "Often when he spoke he was encompassing the whole province as if he was speaking of one voice. Truthfully, it was not representative of some of the grassroots organizations."

Gilles Rheaume, president of the Mouvement souverainiste du Quebec, said Johnson promoted hate and division. "I hope his successor will have more responsibility, more maturity, more openness and more tolerance," Rheaume said.

Johnson said he intends to remain an active member of Alliance Quebec after he steps down as president. The organization's membership has doubled to 5,500 during Johnson's term as president.