President George W Bush and Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al-Malaki addressed the press in the East Room of the White House. Washington DC, USA - 25.07.06

DEATH OF A PRESIDENT, which is to be screened by British network Channel 4 on digital channel More4 next month (OCT06), shows Bush shot dead in Chicago, Illinois in 2007. The film then follows an investigation into the 'murder', carried out by a Syrian gunman.

However, the programme has been described as "appalling".

A spokesman for The White House says, "We won't dignify this with a response."

GRETCHEN ESSELL, a spokeswoman for Bush's Republican Party in his home state of Texas, says, "I can't support a video that dramatises the assassination of our president whether real or imagined.

THOMAS TRAPASSO, a former aide of Democrat ex-US President BILL CLINTON, adds, "It's horrible - and irresponsible of the film-makers."

However, director GABRIEL RANGE defends his movie.

He says, "People haven't seen the film yet. It's not gratuitous or sensationalist. The film uses the horrific scenario of the president's assassination to provoke a legitimate debate."