Table entries cannot be deleted

What causes this issue?

Characteristic &v1& is a <DS:GLOS.reference_characteristic>reference
characteristic</>. You cannot delete the references to a table and
table field from a reference characteristic.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Please enter the table and table field in the characteristic.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.