CHANNEL 4 has invited Gerry Adams, the Irish republican leader, to give his interpretation of the story of Christ as part of a series on the Bible.
The decision to give the Sinn Fein president a pulpit for his views has angered leading Christians, victims of IRA terrorism and a co-presenter.Adams, 61, is widely thought to have been a former leader of the Provisional IRA, despite his denials.
He is one of seven public figures taking part in the series, The Bible: A History. In an episode in February, Adams will meet victims from both sides of the conflict.
Adams will "examine Jesus's teachings on love, forgiveness and repentance through the prism of his own experience", according to the channel.
Critics, however, say the politician's involvement is wrong.
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Hazlett Lynch, the head of West Tyrone Voice, a support group for the victims of republican and loyalist paramilitaries, said: "This decision is insulting and distasteful."
Ann Widdecombe, the Tory MP and Catholic convert, will retell the story of Moses as part of the series. She discovered Adams's involvement only after she had filmed her own contribution and said she disapproved of the decision.