In a statement, Dior's chief executive Sidney Toledano said: "Dior affirms with the utmost conviction its policy of zero tolerance towards any anti-Semitic or racist words or behavior." "Pending the results of the inquiry, Christian Dior has suspended John Galliano from his responsibilities," he added.
However the 50-year-old designer who is currently putting the final touches to his autumn-winter collections for Christian Dior and his own label for Paris Fashion Week next week has denied he made anti-Semitic remarks. His lawyer Stephane Zerbib said: "The designer formally denies the accusations of anti-Semitism made against him." Galliano took over the creative helm at Christian Dior in 1996.