Backlash after Mel's outburst

Mel Gibson's career was facing meltdown today after his anti-Jewish tirade against two Los Angeles police officers.

The Hollywood actor, who was arrested for drink-driving, launched a foul-mouthed rant claiming: "F***ing Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

Now, despite belated apologies for his " despicable" remarks, insiders say his Alister days could be numbered.

Gibson's production company's plans to make a TV series based on the Holocaust could face the axe - and Disney may pull out of releasing his next film, Apocalypto.

The star appeared to be damned by the silence of Walt Disney executives today, who refused to comment on whether they would continue to distribute Apocalypto, about the fall of the Mayan empire.

While Gibson, 50, can afford to part-fund his own movie projects, he does not have the finances nor infrastructure to distribute them himself.

Disney TV network ABC may also be planning to pull the plug on its deal with Gibson to make a mini-series about the Holocaust.

An ABC spokeswoman today appeared to distance the company from the project, saying: "It's in development, but not very far in. It's not at the point where you would make those determinations."

American rabbi Abraham Cooper urged Gibson to drop the project, claiming it would be "inappropriate". Hollywood insiders said many Jewish film executives had pledged never to work with the actor again.

Jewish community leaders have called for a criminal investigation into his comments. Abraham Foxman, of the US Jewish Anti-Defamation League, said: "Mel Gibson's apology is unremorseful and insufficient.

His tirade finally reveals his true self." He called on Hollywood bosses to "realise the bigot in their midst" and "distance themselves from this anti-Semite".

Gibson has also been accused of anti-Semitism with his portrayal of the Jews in his film The Passion Of The Christ. And he refused to criticise his father, who has claimed the Holocaust was mostly "fiction".

The star was stopped by police early on Friday for speeding near his Malibu home. A part-empty bottle of tequila was found in his car.

A bizarre melée then ensued, with Gibson apparently trying to escape, his alleged propositioning of the arresting officer-with explicit suggestions and claims that, while handcuffed, he claimed he owned Malibu and would spend all his money to "get even".

He then asked the officer if he was Jewish and launched a barrage of racist remarks. In the police station he allegedly threatened an officer, smashed a payphone and attempted to urinate in a cell.

Police have yet to decide whether to charge the star, who was released after five hours on £3,550 bail. It has also emerged that the incident was initially covered up by police, who feared it to be too " inflammatory".

Gibson, a Catholic traditionalist, blamed his actions on alcoholism. "I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed," he said. "I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse."