London, Sep 1 (IANS) A British drama about the fictional assassination of US President George Bush has been criticised as being "irresponsible".

According to contactmusic.com, the drama, "Death Of a President", shows Bush shot in Chicago in 2007. The movie then follows an investigation into the murder, which is carried out by a Syrian gunman.

A spokesperson for the White House said: "We won't dignify this with a response."

A spokesperson for the Republican Party said: "I can't support a video that dramatises the assassination of our president whether real or imagined."

But Gabriel Range, the director of the movie, said: "People haven't seen the film yet. It's not gratuitous or sensationalist. The film uses the horrific scenario of the president's assassination to provoke a legitimate debate."