Sacha Baron Cohen is being sued by an American politician who alleges he was tricked into appearing on the British comedian's latest TV show.

Roy Moore, a former candidate for the US Senate, appeared on Who Is America? in July on the pretence of accepting an award for his support for Israel.

However, he was instead interviewed by Cohen in character as Colonel Erran Morad, who waved a "paedophile detector" at him.

Image: Roy Moore and 'Colonel Erran Morad'. Pic: YouTube

When the device beeped, Mr Moore stopped the interview and said: "I've been married for 33 years. Never had an accusation of such things. Certainly, I'm not a paedophile, OK?"

The 71-year-old was accused by nine women of sexual misconduct during his unsuccessful bid to win one of Alabama's two Senate seats last November. He denied the allegations.


In legal documents filed in Washington DC, Mr Moore accused Cohen of portraying him as a sex offender.

Image: Cohen was in London to accept a GQ prize on Wednesday

The $95m (£74m) lawsuit includes the production company behind Who Is America?, Showtime, and the show's network, CBS.

It states: "This false and fraudulent portrayal and mocking of Judge Moore as a sex offender, on national and international television, which was widely broadcast in this district on national television and worldwide, has severely harmed Judge Moore's reputation and caused him, Mrs Moore, and his entire family severe emotional distress, as well as caused and will cause plaintiffs financial damage."

Mr Moore signed a release before appearing on the show, but alleges it is void because it was signed under false pretences.

Cohen won the Editor's Special prize at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London on Wednesday night.

He is also known for his characters Ali G, Borat and Bruno.