This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31052648

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Vicar's 9/11 Facebook post investigated by Church Vicar's 9/11 Facebook post investigated by Church
(about 9 hours later)
The Church of England is investigating a vicar accused of posting an article on Facebook blaming Israel for the 9/11 attacks in the US.The Church of England is investigating a vicar accused of posting an article on Facebook blaming Israel for the 9/11 attacks in the US.
The Reverend Stephen Sizer, vicar of Christ Church, in Virginia Water, Surrey, allegedly posted a link to an article entitled: "9/11 Israel did it."The Reverend Stephen Sizer, vicar of Christ Church, in Virginia Water, Surrey, allegedly posted a link to an article entitled: "9/11 Israel did it."
He reportedly wrote: "Is this anti-Semitic? It raises so many questions."He reportedly wrote: "Is this anti-Semitic? It raises so many questions."
Mr Sizer later removed the link and apologised for his "ill-considered and misguided" actions.
The Diocese of Guildford said it was taking "immediate steps" to investigate.The Diocese of Guildford said it was taking "immediate steps" to investigate.
A spokesman for the diocese - which oversees Mr Sizer - said it was a matter of "deep sorrow and shame" that the posts appeared in the same week as the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.A spokesman for the diocese - which oversees Mr Sizer - said it was a matter of "deep sorrow and shame" that the posts appeared in the same week as the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
"Our attention has been drawn to comments by the Rev Stephen Sizer on social media. In those comments Rev Sizer linked to an article entitled '9/11 Israel did it'," the spokesman said. "Our attention has been drawn to comments by the Rev Stephen Sizer on social media.
"In those comments Rev Sizer linked to an article entitled '9/11 Israel did it'," the spokesman said.
'Beyond absurd''Beyond absurd'
"These comments would rightly be seen as unacceptable whenever they were posted. It is a matter of deep sorrow and shame that they have been posted in this week of all weeks. "These comments would rightly be seen as unacceptable whenever they were posted.
"The Diocese of Guildford, where the Rev Sizer is licensed, is taking immediate steps to investigate. The diocese is aware of the seriousness of the matter and are also in touch with the Board of Deputies of British Jews." "It is a matter of deep sorrow and shame that they have been posted in this week of all weeks."
He added the diocese was "aware of the seriousness of the matter" and was also in touch with the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
In a statement, Mr Sizer said: "It was particularly insensitive in that last week coincided with Holocaust Memorial Day.
"I removed the link as soon as I received adverse feedback, and realised that offence had been caused.
"I have never believed Israel or any other country was complicit in the terrorist atrocity of 9/11, and my sharing of this material was ill-considered and misguided."
He added that at the request of the diocese, he would not be using social media or blogs until further notice.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt said Mr Sizer had a history of disputes with Jewish community leaders over blog postings on Israel and Zionism.BBC religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt said Mr Sizer had a history of disputes with Jewish community leaders over blog postings on Israel and Zionism.
In 2013, Dr Sizer and the Board of Deputies of British Jews reached a mediated agreement aimed at ending a long-running dispute over postings on his blog about Jews. In 2013, he and the Board of Deputies of British Jews reached a mediated agreement aimed at ending a long-running dispute over postings on his blog.
Our correspondent said Mr Sizer had removed the Facebook post but reportedly continued to defend it, saying he was encouraging debate about "serious allegations" over 9/11.
Jonathan Arkush, vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the Jewish News: "Posting, and giving approval to, an article which in effect accuses Jews of responsibility for the 9/11 atrocity is unquestionably anti-Semitic, just as it is beyond absurd."Jonathan Arkush, vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the Jewish News: "Posting, and giving approval to, an article which in effect accuses Jews of responsibility for the 9/11 atrocity is unquestionably anti-Semitic, just as it is beyond absurd."