A Conservative aide posted a video depicting First Minister Alex Salmond as Adolf Hitler on YouTube, it was revealed on Monday.

The spoof clip was posted on the video-sharing website by the Tory councillor Jim Millar, a member of the Angus local authority.

The video, which has now been removed from the site, used a short extract from Oliver Hirschbiegel's 2004 film Downfall, in which Hitler is told that the war has been lost.

Mr Millar, an aide to North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnstone, added subtitles to the shots of the raging German dictator to use it to satirise the SNP leader.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said the clip focused on the recent "cash-for-lunches" controversy dogging Mr Salmond.

The film has become a viral hit and has already been subverted by hundreds of internet users to send up topics as diverse as the break-up of Oasis, John and Edward's X Factor success, and Chelsea's transfer ban.

Mr Millar defended the clip saying it was "political satire" and denied he was directly comparing the First Minister to Hitler.

He added: "The film Downfall has been used for political satire on many occasions and has also been used in many other settings including football both north and south of the border. It is using a well-known film as a vehicle for political satire - nothing more.

"It would be wrong to think that the person being portrayed is being compared to Adolf Hitler. That is just not the case and it would be wrong to suggest otherwise.

"It is important that political satire remains a part of political debate, for no other reason than it helps keep our politicians well grounded."

An SNP spokesman said the video was "a major blunder", and added: "This is hugely embarrassing for Alex Johnstone.

"The last politician crass enough to make such a tasteless reference was Anne Moffat - and she has just been deselected by her local Labour party. Mr Johnstone should have a care about who he employs and the smears the Tories get up to on the internet."