Controversial comedian Sacha Baron Cohen declared “Death to the West” on Thursday evening, as he arrived at the premiere of his new film The Dictator on a tow truck.

I was friendly with Lady Diana... long story short I am the father of Harry

In character as Admiral General Aladeen, dictator of a fictional country, he was driven up the red carpet at London’s Royal Festival Hall standing in an orange Lamborghini, with a clamp on one wheel and the back seat full of Harrods carrier bags, on the back of a tow truck.

Flanked by models in military uniform wearing mini-skirts, he brandished a gold-plated pistol at waiting photographers.

Baron Cohen explained: “Sorry I am late. I was doing some shopping at the British Home Stores and I got clamped. I refuse to pay your parking rates. And they call me the international war criminal! They should bring these parking attendants to The Hague.”

The 40-year-old British comedian was later joined by Mohamed Al-Fayed to pose for photographs.

He said the former Harrods owner was a close friend, adding: “Let’s put it this way, I was friendly with Lady Diana... and to cut a long story short I am the father of Harry.

“From his mother he gets the fair complexion and from me he gets his enjoyment of dressing as a Nazi.”

The Ali G star said he chose to hold the premiere of his film in London because he had been banned from America.

He revealed: “I just paid £300,000 to the Tory club and they said I can have dinner with David Cameron. Everybody has a price but Cameron’s is just cheaper than the rest. For that they are also throwing in a foot massage from Mr Clegg.”

Baron Cohen’s wife, actress Isla Fisher, was among the stars at the premiere. She revealed he had not stayed in character at home while making the movie.

Fisher said: “Well luckily he didn’t wear the big beard but I was stuck with a handlebar moustache.”