Rowan Laxton, a diplomat the British Foreign Office, was arrested over allegedly inciting racial hatred during a visit to a London gym. When working out in his gym and watching the latest television news about the conflict in Gaza, eye witnesses heard Laxton shout "fucking Israelis, fucking Jews". People present in the gym were shocked at his anti-Semitic rants, British media report. Even after having been asked to control himself the diplomat continued his ranting, allegedly shouting that all Israelis 'should be wiped off the face of the Earth'. The diplomat was later released on bail until next month.
Laxton, 47, is the head of the South-East Asia department of the Foreign Office and as such reports directly to the Foreign Secretary David Milliband. Earlier in his career Laxton was stationed in Afghanistan as deputy chief of mission. He is reportedly married to a Muslim woman.
The British Foreign Office declined to comment on the police investigation. In the UK incitement to racial hatred carries a prison sentence of up to seven years.
