Jews and war veterans attack anti-euro advert

A new cinema advert opposing British membership of the euro appeared to backfire dramatically last night after it portrayed Adolf Hitler backing the single currency.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, veterans of the Second World War and the German embassy, attacked the film by the No Campaign which showed the comedian Rik Mayall dressed as the Nazi leader.

The advert, which will be shown to 5 million people at cinemas across Britain from next week, features Mayall addressing a rally and shouting: "Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Euro!". Although the No Campaign insisted the remark was a "joke", critics pointed out that it offended Jews and resurrected the worst stereotype of German ambitions in Europe.

The 90-second film, which cost £1m and will be screened for the next three months, stars Bob Geldof, the Live Aid founder, and comedians Vic Reeves and Harry Enfield. Labour MPs Diane Abbott, Kate Hoey and Frank Field also featured in the advert, which was aimed at the key 25-40 age group and Labour supporters.

But within minutes of it being previewed, there were calls for the film to be pulled or at least amended so the offending scene was cut.

Neville Nagler, director general of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: "The depiction of Hitler is tasteless and highly inappropriate. It is bound to cause offence to all those who experienced at first hand the evils of the Third Reich. We are surprised that the celebrity figures involved are prepared to endorse such disrespect to all those who suffered under the Nazi regime and their families."