Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been attacked online for describing Scientologists as "creepy, maybe even evil" in a tweet about Katie Holmes' and Tom Cruise's divorce.
The News Corp chairman and chief executive posted the comment on Twitter yesterday morning, a day after news broke that Holmes had filed for divorce against the Hollywood actor, who is renowned as a passionate Scientologist.
Holmes is seeking sole custody of their daughter, Suri, amid speculation she was trying to save her daughter from a strict Scientologist lifestyle.
"Watch Katie Holmes and Scientology story develop. Something creepy, maybe even evil, about these people," Murdoch tweeted.
Murdoch's tweet may have been prompted by reports that Holmes believes she is being followed.
The actress fears Scientology now views her as a threat to the organisation and that people have been tracking her moves in recent weeks, TMZ reports.
Murdoch later wrote on Twitter that his comment had sparked outrage.
"Since Scientology tweet hundreds of attacks. Expect they will increase and get worse and maybe threatening. Still stick to my story," he tweeted.
News home