Israel has apologised to the UK after one of its embassy staff in London was secretly filmed apparently suggesting he wanted to bring about the downfall of a British government minister who has been very critical of Israeli policy.<br /><br /> The senior political officer was speaking in a London restaurant to a British civil servant, who is now said to have resigned. <br /><br /> The undercover recordings are part of an investigation by Al Jazeera which it says expose a covert Israeli campaign to influence British policy.<br /><br /> The Israeli official, senior political officer Shai Masot, is heard saying he wanted to “take down” British Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan.<br /><br /> Maria Strizzolo, the civil servant and also an aide to another minister, later replies by hinting that “a little scandal” might see him dismissed.<br /><br /> UK MP urges probe into Israeli plot against politicians https://t.co/T8b97RJyou pic.twitter.com/Q38t16g0QO— Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) January 8, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> In 2014 Sir Alan strongly attacked Israel, describing settlements as “an act of theft” and an “ever-deepening stain on the face of the globe”. <br /><br /> He also likened the situation in Hebron in the occupied West Bank to apartheid. <br /><br /> The Israeli official also describes the UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson as “an idiot” in the secret recording.<br /><br /> Sir Craig Oliver, former communications director to ex-British Prime Minister David Cameron, said Masot’s comments should be viewed as comic rather than chilling. <br /><br /> But Britain’s Labour opposition has demanded an inquiry into the extent of alleged Israeli interference in UK politics.<br /><br /> Israel says the official’s views are not those of its government. <br /><br /> PRESS RELEASE IsraelinUK and foreignoffice comments regarding remarks made by embassy employee pic.twitter.com/ma6skHB9os— Yiftah Curiel (@yiftahc) January 7, 2017<br />
