A video has been posted on YouTube of a Swiss couple reaffirming their commitment to each other on a beach near an exclusive holiday resort in the Maldives. However, instead of saying ‘I do’ to a list of religious vows, the couple are actually listening to a stream of religious and sexual slurs being delivered in the local Dhivehi tongue.

As they stood on the beach, the couple were told that they were swine and infidels, amongst other things.

The incident took place at the Vilu Reef resort, and the country’s foreign minister, Ahmed Shaheed, is apoplectic. He said incidences such as this had no place in the Maldives; a country famous for its top class customer service and warm welcome for all. He added that such occurrences in no way reflected the cultural and religious values of the country’s population.

Mr Shaheed has ordered the diplomatic service to visit the Swiss couple, apologise to them face-to-face and discuss some form of compensation. He has also promised to bring those responsible to justice and demanded assurances that something like this will never happen again. The police are presently involved in an investigation into the matter.

The foreign minister said that it was important that the Maldives is not tarnished by the incident as it had worked for years to establish itself as a top destination for holidaymakers. He added that if the tourism industry could not guarantee something like this never happens in the future he is prepared to take legal action.