THE outburst by English historian David Starkey likening Alex Salmond to Adolf Hitler has been strongly condemned by a Glasgow Jewish group.

Mr Starkey, a regular television pundit, said during a Tory fringe group debate at Westminster this week that Mr Salmond was a "democratic Caledonian Hitler, although some would say Hitler was more democratically elected".

But it was his other remark – that for Mr Salmond "the English, like the Jews, are everywhere" – that prompted outrage from the Glasgow Jewish Education Forum. The body stated: "Glasgow Jewish Educational Forum has worked closely with the Scottish Government while Mr Salmond has been First Minister. Offensive comments comparing him to Adolf Hitler are not in the best interests of the Scottish Jewish community.

"Mr Salmond has personally demonstrated his own commitment to the Scottish Jewish community and everything he has said in reference to the Jewish community has demonstrated his determination to ensure that it is a respected component in an inclusive and multicultural Scotland."

A spokesman for the First Minister said: "David Starkey's outrageous comments were particularly offensive to Scotland's Jewish community. He should do the decent thing and apologise, but that may be asking too much of someone with such views."

The remarks were made at a Westminster debate organised by the Tory right-wing Bow Group. Nic Conner of the group said the remarks had been taken out of context.

He added: "Dr Starkey began by questioning some of the myths surrounding Alex Salmond: the political myth that he is one of the greatest political leaders of our time when what he has done is all a trick, tapping into nationalism and the idea of a common enemy, in this case the English. He then compared this, somewhat unfortunately, to Hitler."