"A senior British diplomat has been arrested after he allegedly launched an abusive tirade against Israel and Judaism at a London gym, police said Tuesday," the Associated Press reports.
The AP adds, "Rowan Laxton, the 47-year-old head of the Foreign Office's South Asia desk, was held on suspicion of inciting religious hatred - an offense that carries a maximum jail term of seven years. He allegedly used foul language as he criticized Israel's conduct during the conflict in Gaza at a fitness center at the London Business School last month."
"A police spokeswoman said Laxton was arrested Jan. 27 and released on police bail - meaning he has not been charged with an offense," the AP continues. "The spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with policy, said Laxton must return to a police station to face further questioning about the incident next month."
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According to the Times of London, "The diplomat, 47-year-old Rowan Laxton, allegedly shouted 'f***ing Israelis, f***ing Jews' while watching television reports of the Israeli attack on Gaza last month."
"He is also alleged to have said that Israeli soldiers should be 'wiped off the face of the Earth' during the rant at the London Business School gym near Regents Park on January 27," the paper adds. "The tirade reportedly continued even after other gym users asked him to stop."
"Laxton coordinates work on the South Asia region and is responsible for briefing Foreign Secretary David Miliband and other ministers about the area," the AP noted.
