Antisemitism campaigners have condemned actor and political activist Laurence Fox for posting a swastika image to social media.

The failed London mayoral candidate shared a version of the Nazi symbol made out of rainbow flags to Twitter to mark LGBT Pride Month.

Posting the offending picture he said: “Oh blessed and most holy month!”

The former actor later told his 311,000 followers: “I’ve updated my profile picture for the remainder of the holy month. Blessed be the fruit.”

Mr Fox's controversial post gained over a thousand likes, but an equivalent number of comments, many of which criticised him.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust said: “We are appalled to see Laurence Fox's vile tweet this morning with abhorrent use of the swastika. Gay men experienced untold suffering under the Nazis, including murder, castration and medical experimentation.

“Ignorance of this history can only exacerbate present-day discrimination faced by #LGBTQ+ people.”

Around 10 to 15 thousand gay men were deported to concentration camps under the Nazi regime. Most did not survive. 

laurence fox

The controversial tweet posted by Laurence Fox (Photo: Twitter)

Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Displaying pride flags in the shape of a swastika is not the edgy statement that you think it is. 

“It is possible to express a view without the hate, and without insulting those murdered by the Nazis, which included Jews and LGBT people.”

Twitter locked Mr Fox’s account after he made the rainbow-swastika image his profile picture, but allowed him access again once he deleted it.

Returning to the social media site after his suspension Mr Fox was unapologetic, saying: “You can openly call the [British flag] a symbol of facism and totalitarianism on Twatter. You cannot criticise the holy flags,” adding images of the gay and trans flags to the end of his tweet.