Vandals have defaced a book of condolence for the victims of the American terror attacks.
Civic chiefs in Newcastle were stunned when they saw the message in the city's condolence book, which read: "It was a long time coming. They got what they deserved.
"Perhaps now they will feel safe now they are the victims."
It was in stark contrast to the many notes of sympathy.
Newcastle Civic Centre staff have since covered the offending message.
Jonathan Parker, the council's central services manager. said: "There has been only one instance where an unwelcome message was written in the book of condolence, amid many hundreds of messages of support."
Malik Chaudhry, head of Tyneside's Racial Equality Council, said: "It is scandalous that someone has done that. It is bound to raise racial tensions."
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