Borat in a spot of bother

The comic behind Ali G has touched a raw nerve in Kazakhstan with his cult character Borat.

Sacha Baron Cohen's bumbling and irreverent TV reporter has angered diplomats who say he is 'a grotesque portrayal' of their countrymen.

On Da Ali G Show, Borat describes dog-shooting and rape as national pastimes in the former Soviet republic.

According to Borat, 'in Kazakhstan we say "God, man, horse, dog, then woman, then rat".' In another spoof, he claims 'Throw The Jew Down The Well' is a popular folk song.

The gags prompted the Kazakh embassy in the US, where the Ali G show is a hit, to set the record straight.

Spokesman Roman Vassilenko said: 'What is particularly troubling is his portrayal of Kazakhstan as a country that mistreats women and is stuck in the Stone Age.

'His prototype of Kazakhstan has nothing to do with reality - yet some may think it is true.'