Channel 4''s decision to invite Iran''s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver a Christmas message was criticised by the Foreign Office Thursday, which said it would cause offence.

Ahmadinejad will give an address on Channel Four later Thursday in which he will say that, if Jesus Christ were alive today, he would oppose "bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers," according to a pre-released transcript.

"President Ahmadinejad has during his time in office made a series of appalling anti-Semitic statements," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

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

The move has already been criticised by some Jewish groups and the Israeli ambassador to London, Ron Prosor, who labelled it a "scandal and a national embarrassment".

The Channel Four broadcast is seen as an alternative to the queen''s traditional annual address to the Commonwealth, which aired earlier in the day.

Explaining the decision to invite Ahmadinejad to speak, Channel Four''s head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: "As the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad''s views are enormously influential.

"As we approach a critical time in international relations, we are offering our viewers an insight into an alternative world view."

Britain and Iran have had rocky relations for years, particularly over Iran''s disputed nuclear programme which it says is for civilian purposes but the West fears could be used to make arms.