An international Iranian English-language television station has published an online article casting doubt on the existence of the Nazi gas chambers by a recently exposed Holocaust denier.

Last month, University College London withdrew the honorary research fellowship of Nicholas Kollerstrom after his Holocaust views came to light.

But this week Press TV, a Tehran-based news network, gave space for the lecturer, a specialist in astronomy, to promote his ideas.

Describing him as a “distinguished academic”, it says he “argues that the alleged massacre of Jewish people by gassing during World War II was scientifically impossible”.

The TV station, which promises “unbiased reporting of controversial global news”, introduces his article: “The West punishes people for their scientific research on Holocaust but the same Western countries allow insults to prophets and religious beliefs.”

Mark Gardner, director of communications of the Community Security Trust, said: “The Iranian government sponsors Holocaust denial and also pays for Press TV. It is therefore shocking, but not surprising, to see Press TV pushing this disgusting antisemitic propaganda.”

Dr Kollerstrom lost his UCL position after publishing an article entitled The Auschwitz “Gas Chamber” Illusion on a revisionist website.

Last week Press TV carried a report of Iranian students demanding the closure of the British embassy in a protest outside it.