Mel Gibson slams religious critics

Hollywood star and film-maker Mel Gibson has hit out for the first time at claims that he or his controversial new film about the death of Christ are anti-Semitic or anti-Catholic.

The comments, in entertainment industry bible Daily Variety, mark the first time that the star, a strict Catholic, has spoken out about the furore.

"To be certain, neither I nor my film is anti-Semitic," Gibson said, following an outcry sparked by fears that the movie The Passion, which is still in production, might portray Jews and Catholics in a negative light.