'Anti-Jewish' John Galliano 'could face prison despite apology' - Sify

Christian Dior's chief designer John Galliano, who was sacked from his job for his anti-Jewish comments, could now face prison despite an apology letter.

The 50-yr-old would stand trial over two anti-Jewish rants in a Paris bar, said prosecutors.

Although he issued an apology, following an investigation, prosecutors in France said that he would face a judge on charges of assault and anti-Semitism.

In France, making anti-Semitic remarks is punishable by up to six months in prison.

"Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologise for my behaviour in causing any offence," the Daily Mail quoted Galliano as saying in a statement.

It followed the emergence of a video filmed at a Paris bar, La Perle, last December in which Galliano says to two unnamed women, "People like you ought to be dead, your mothers, your forefathers would all be ****ing gassed. I love Hitler."

An unnamed 48-year-old woman has also made a formal complaint to police that she was also subjected to anti-Semitic abuse by Galliano at the same bar last October.

On Friday, Galliano, who grew up in London, launched a counter-claim in a civil court in Paris for defamation following Thursday's incident.

In today's statement, Galliano said witnesses had come forward to tell police that he was subjected to an "unprovoked assault" during the incident last Thursday, with someone trying to hit him with a chair.

"For these reasons I have commenced proceedings for defamation and the threats made against me," he said.

Galliano said uniting people of different races, religions and sexuality has been his "guiding light".

He said, "I have fought my entire life against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination, having been subjected to it myself. In all my work my inspiration has been to unite people of every race, creed, religion and sexuality by celebrating their cultural and ethnic diversity through fashion.

"That remains my guiding light."

He has denied claims made against him and said he had co-operated with police in their investigation.

Christian Dior said, "I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano's comments that surfaced today."

Following her condemnation, the fashion house announced it was terminating his contract and branded his comments "particularly odious".

Galliano's lawyer Stephane Zerbib said, "My client formally denies he made any anti-Semitic remarks. He is not at all this kind of person and a full explanation will be given later." (ANI)