MPs' outrage at Iannucci show

MPs are calling on the BBC to pull Armando Iannucci’s new comedy show because it features spoof footage of Tony Blair being assassinated and terrorists crashing an airliner into Big Ben.

The politicians, and the Daily Mail, are outraged over doctored clips in an Oscar-style 'Terrorism Awards' sketch that features his new BBC Two series, Time Trumpet.

As well as the al-Qaeda attack, right, and a picture of Blair with a bullet hole in his head after being 'shot as he slept beside his wife', the sketch also features a Hamas bombing in Tel Aviv.

BBC newsman Peter Snow and presenter Philippa Forrester introduce the nominees, and applause and laughter has been dubbed on afterwards. Click here to watch the sketch.

 Andrew Dismore, Labour MP for Hendon, told the Daily Mail it was 'absolutely sick.'

'At a time when people are dying for real on both sides in the Middle East, to try to make fun of what's going on is the worst thing imaginable,’ he said.  'Nothing is more sick than attempting to make a joke out of people who are dying. It's beyond the pale. The BBC governors should do something to stop this.'

David Davies, Tory MP for Monmouth, added: 'It shows a distinct lack of taste and could even exacerbate the suffering of the July 7 bombing victims. I can't see much comedy value in this at a time when all of us are at risk from terrorism.'

The BBC defended the sketches, which a spokesman said needed to be seen 'in the context of the whole series', which starts tonight

'It is a satire set in the year 2031, looking back at the events and people of today.  This particular [terrorism] episode tries to play tricks with visuals and make viewers question what is real and what is fake.

'Iannucci is a leading satirist and he's pushing the envelope. The scenarios are so ludicrous that viewers will immediately recognise them as satire.'

Published: 3 Aug 2006