FORMER Oxford Green councillor Larry Sanders said his brother, Senator Bernie Sanders, was ‘fair game’ for an attempt to con him with a fake TV interview.

Sacha Baron Cohen, who made his name on TV as Ali G, has now created a series of characters for a new show, Who is America? set in the United States.

In an episode of the series being shown on Channel 4 the comedian poses as TV interviewer Billy Wayne Ruddick Jr and questions the US Senator on his views on universal health care.

Larry Sanders, a former Green county councillor and prospective parliamentary candidate for Witney, who lives in Oxford, said: “I think all politicians, including Bernie are fair game for Cohen’s brand of TV satire - it’s part of the process of modern politics.

“Politicians like Sarah Palin do end up revealing their views.

“Luckily Bernie passed the test and I don’t think he would have been too embarrassed by what he said - some politicians have embarrassed themselves quite brutally.

“Sacha Baron Cohen is quite successful when it comes to getting politicians to reveal their true colours but I won’t be watching any more episodes - I have had enough.”

Mr Sanders said he was planning a trip to Vermont later this year where his brother has been a Senator since 2007.