Mel Gibson is a c*nt

Des · July 31, 2006

Mel Gibson apologises for anti-semitic abuse

· Star's outburst after alleged drink-driving

· LA police accused of covering up remarks

Audrey Gillan

Monday July 31, 2006

The Guardian

Mel Gibson yesterday apologised for his "despicable" remarks after a Los Angeles police officer claimed that the actor had shouted a barrage of anti-semitic abuse, including a claim that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world".

Gibson, 50, was arrested in the early hours of Friday after he was found driving his Lexus along the Pacific coast highway while allegedly drunk. A three-quarters-full bottle of tequila wrapped in a brown paper bag was found on the floor. He was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and released on $5,000 bail.

The entertainment website TMZ published what it said was a four-page extract of the police report into the incident. It says that the actor had tried to run away from police and that he "became increasingly belligerent". The Australian star told the officer that he would regret arresting him and that he "owned Malibu".

The report says: "Gibson blurted out a barrage of anti-semitic remarks about 'f***ing Jews'. Gibson yelled out: 'The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.' Gibson then asked: 'Are you a Jew?'"

The incident gained further attention when it was alleged that the LA police department had tried to cover up Gibson's offensive remarks. A spokesman had told reporters on Friday that Gibson had been arrested "without incident". Allegations of favourable treatment of the star are now being looked into by the city's office of independent review, which investigates allegations of police misconduct. It has also been claimed that the police officer involved was asked to rewrite his report omitting Gibson's anti-semitic remarks.

Mike Gennaco, who will lead the investigation, said: "I'd like to see if there was a legitimate law enforcement reason for asking that the report be altered."

Gibson served as a "celebrity representative" for the LA sheriff department's Star Organisation in 2002, a group which provides scholarships and aid for the children of officers killed in the line of duty. He donated $10,000 to the step-daughter of an officer who died and also filmed public service announcements for the sheriff's relief committee.

Sheriff Lee Baca said the actor's behaviour after his arrest was not relevant to the criminal case. "There is no cover-up. Our job is not to [focus] on what he said. It's to establish his blood alcohol level when he was driving and proceed with the case."

Gibson, whose father told the New York Times that he did not believe the Holocaust happened, issued a statement apologising. He said: "I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said. Also, I take this opportunity to apologise to the deputies involved for my belligerent behaviour. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself."

He added: "I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse."

sutty · July 31, 2006

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