British diplomat murdered in Jamaica home

A British diplomat has been murdered at his home in Jamaica in a suspected homophobic attack.

John Terry, 65, was found lying on his bed with a cord round his neck and severe head injuries.

Jamaican police are investigating whether the honorary consul for the British High Commission was in a homosexual relationship.

Officers said there was no sign of a break-in at the four-bedroom house in rural Mount Carey, near Montego Bay, and do not think robbery was a motive.

Mr Terry was honorary consul on the Caribbean island for 13 years, representing the High Commission at official functions.

He was last seen on Tuesday night after leaving the luxury Half Moon Bay Hotel in Montego Bay, where he was a maintenance supervisor.

He was found on Wednesday morning by his cleaner, with a handwritten note on his body describing him as a 'batty man', local slang for a homosexual.

A detective said: 'We have reports that he has been seen with another man. It is likely he could have known his killer.'

Foreign Secretary David Miliband last night said he was 'deeply saddened', adding: 'Honorary consuls play a valuable role overseas and this was especially true of John.' continues here

High-ranking Foreign Office diplomat arrested over anti-Semitic tirade in the gym

A high-ranking diplomat at the Foreign Office has been arrested after allegations that he launched a foul-mouthed anti-Semitic tirade. 

Middle East expert Rowan Laxton, 47, was watching TV reports of the Israeli attack on Gaza as he used an exercise bike in a gym. 

Stunned staff and gym members allegedly heard him shout: 'F**king Israelis, f**king Jews'. It is alleged he also said Israeli soldiers should be 'wiped off the face of the earth'.

His rant reportedly continued even after he was approached by other gym users. 

After a complaint was made to police, Mr Laxton was arrested for inciting religious hatred through threatening words and behaviour and bailed until late next month. 

The maximum penalty for inciting religious hatred is a seven-year prison term or a fine or both. 

Mr Laxton, who is still working normally, is head of the South Asia Group at the Foreign Office, on a salary of around £70,000. 

He is responsible for all the UK's diplomacy in that area and for briefing Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is Jewish. 

Mr Laxton has worked extensively in the Middle East - he married a Muslim woman in 2000 - and has been deputy ambassador to Afghanistan. 

The case could not have come at a worse time for the Foreign Office. Next week, Britain is hosting an international summit on combating anti-Semitism, with politicians from 35 countries. 

Mr Laxton had gone to the London Business School's gym in Regent's Park after work on January 27. 

An onlooker said: 'I was in the gym around 9pm and I heard this guy shouting something about "f**king Israelis". 

'This bald guy was cycling away on his machine in the middle of the exercise room. When another guy approached him he shouted "f**king Jews, f**king Israelis". 

'The gym was pretty full and everyone looked totally shocked. 

' That sort of racist language is totally unacceptable. The gym staff called security and I think the guy was asked to leave.'

Mark Gardner, deputy director of the Community Security Trust which monitors anti-Semitism, said: 'There were an unprecedented number of anti-Semitic incidents during the Gaza conflict. 

'This alleged case is particularly shocking, given the position held by the civil servant in question. 

'We must not allow an overseas conflict to cause racism here in Britain and especially not among civil servants. 

'The Jewish community will be rightly appalled to hear of these allegations against such a senior figure. 

'We hope that the appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken forthwith, as they would be if these comments had been made against any other section of society.' 

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'It is too early to comment in detail on a matter that is currently the subject of police enquiries. But we take extremely seriously any allegation of inappropriate conduct on the part of our staff and continue to follow developments closely.' 

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Mr Laxton denied his comments were anti-Jewish but refused to answer when asked if they were anti-Israeli. 

The Oxford graduate joined the diplomatic service in 1993 and rose rapidly through the ranks. 

He ran the British High Commission in Pakistan for three years before moving to Afghanistan in 2001. He stayed in Kabul for two years, then returned to London. He was appointed head of his section last year.  continues here