Ford Repair: Ford Escort Brake Lights, stoplight switch, 1997 ford escort

Question
My 1997 Ford Escort brake lights will not turn off even when the stoplight switch is removed. What could cause this? I have to remove the fuse to get the lights to turn off.

Answer
when you say removed are you meaning unplugged or just removed from the bracket if you unplug it and they stay on they are getting a feed from something other than the brake light circuit and are you sure it is brake lights and not tail lights let me know