Mercer makes “heartfelt apology”

An MP has made a “heartfelt apology” in meetings with community organisations, after he was shown on TV making comments that have been described as anti-Semitic.

Last week, Patrick Mercer MP met Zionist Federation chairman Paul Charney, who later said: “He made a heartfelt apology…It was clear to me that he was deeply sorry for any offence his comments caused.”

The MP and former army officer, who was caught on camera describing a female Israeli soldier as a “bloody Jew,” resigned the Tory whip after the undercover filming and has since said he would step down at the next election