UPDATED | Fashion world weeps at Galliano disgrace

The timing could not have been more deadly: just days after John Galliano was arrested in a Paris bar over alleged anti-Semitic remarks, a video of him doing precisely that began to circulate the web, prompting Dior – for whom Galliano was head fashion designer since 1997 – to fire him on Tuesday.

In the video – shown on the The Sun’s website – Galliano (visibly drunk) appears to be engaged in reluctant conversation with a group of people to whom he proceeds to spout vile, anti-Semitic remarks.

“I love Hitler... People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be f****** gassed,” he told the group while being caught on camera.  

Both the alleged assault and the filmed incident took place at La Perle, a trendy Paris bar.

Apart from being sacked by Dior, Galliano faced the wrath of Natalie Portman – the Jewish Israeli, Oscar-winning Black Swan star who was set to endorse Dior’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance.

“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today... I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful,” Portman said in a statement following the video’s release.

But the 50-year-old couturier – who was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to fashion in 2001, and admitted to the French Legion on Honour in 2009 – also drew support from some key figures in the industry.

“I’m very very sorry for him. It’s obviously a difficult time for him. I am also very sorry that they videotaped him without him knowing,” Italian fashionista Giorgio Armani said in defence of his colleague, while The Daily Telegraph’s fashion director Hilary Alexander wrote: “What devils possessed Galliano we may never know. What private hell he is living through is equally unknowable. But one thing is certain: he needs help. I am not for a moment excusing his behaviour. There will come a time when he must confront the viper in his breast. But, right now, this is a moment in his life when he needs support and love from the industry he has given his life to.”

Galliano has since "unreservedly" apologised for his outburst, claiming that racism of any kind has "no place in our society." He also "completely" denied the claims against him and promised to be fully cooperating with the police, as he is set to stand trial.  

While acting on his lawyer's advice to remain discreet about the case for the time being, Galliano wanted to make clear that it was an unprovoked assault on his person which began this whole mess, and that he has begun proceedings of his own against those responsible.

Galliano could face up to six months in prison if convicted.

See the video here: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3436757/Film-of-John-Gallianos-racist-rant-in-bar.html