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The priest accused of being anti-semitic after posting a link on Facebook to an article blaming Israel for the 9/11 terrorist attacks has apologised.

The Rev Stephen Sizer, vicar of Christ Church, Virginia Water, faces an investigation from the Church of England's Guildford Diocese after putting the link on his Facebook page.

The article was entitled '9/11 Israel did it' and it prompted the Diocese of Guildford to describe the vicar's actions as a "matter of deep sorrow and shame".

He told Get Surrey: "I very much regret and apologise for the distress caused by the re-posting on Facebook of a link to an article about 9/11 from Wikispooks.

"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.

"At the request of the Diocese, I will be suspending my use of all social media and blogs with immediate effect and until further notice."

The link was condemned by others, with Jonathan Arkush, vice-president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, describing it as "unquestionably anti-semitic" and "beyond absurd".