ONE of Liverpool’s most senior MPs condemned Channel 4 for broadcasting a Christmas message from a “dangerous fanatic” last night .

Louise Ellman, who represents the city centre’s Riverside constituency, lambasted the broadcaster’s decision to give an “unchallenged platform” to Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The Foreign Office joined Mrs Ellman’s attack, saying the speech would spark offence.

The 10-minute lecture by the hardline leader, whose anti-Western rhetoric and views on Israel and homosexuality have strained international relations between Iran and the West, was shown at 7.15pm.

But Mrs Ellman, who is also chairwoman of the Labour Jewish Movement, said of the broadcast: “I condemn Channel 4’s decision to give an unchallenged platform to a dangerous fanatic who denies the holocaust while preparing for another and claims homosexuality does not exist while his regime hangs gay young men from cranes in the street.

“Who will deliver next year’s alternative Christmas message? Will it be David Irving or Robert Mugabe?”

A Foreign Office spokeswoman added: “President Ahmadinejad has during his time in office made a series of appalling anti-Semitic statements.

“The British media are rightly free to make their own editorial choices, but this invitation will cause offence and amusement not just at home but among friendly countries abroad.”

Ahmadinejad used the message to express his wish for a peaceful New Year and greater spirituality among governments, leaders and society as a whole.

Speaking in Farsi with English subtitles, he said: “Jesus, the Son of Mary, is the standard bearer of justice, of love for our fellow human beings, of the fight against tyranny, discrimination and injustice.

“If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would stand with the people in opposition to bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers.

“If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would hoist the banner of justice and love for humanity to oppose warmongers, occupiers, terrorists and bullies the world over.