Team GB gymnast Louis Smith suspended over Islam video

Team GB gymnast Louis Smith has been handed a two-month suspension over a video in which he appeared to mock Islam.

The footage, filmed by Smith, appeared to show the Olympian laughing while former gymnast Luke Carson imitated the Islamic call to prayer.

At the end of the video a woman is heard telling the pair "You're not funny", to which Smith replied: "It is".

The 27-year-old later said he was "deeply sorry" for the footage, adding: "What I did was wrong".

British Gymnastics has reprimanded Carson and handed Smith a two-month ban.

The governing body's chief executive Jane Allen said: "It is regrettable that following a historic summer of achievement, the organisation finds itself in this difficult position with two high profile members in breach of our standards of conduct.

"As the custodians of the integrity and values of the sport, we have had no choice but to act responsibly and refer this case to an independent panel for their review and determination."　

Ms Allen added: "Whilst both individuals showed remorse following the incident, we hope in the future they use their profile to have a positive impact on sport and communities."

British Gymnastics said Smith's suspension was a "cumulative penalty" following a previous breach of its standards code.

In June, the four-time Olympic medallist was handed a reprimand over a Twitter post which British Gymnastics said was "unbefitting to a participant".

Smith, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, said he visited two mosques "to learn more about the Muslim community" after the footage of him and Carson emerged.

In a Facebook post, he said: "I was ignorant to people's religion. And I apologised for offending those who follow the faith.

"And just because I have the right to doesn't mean I'm happy with doing that."