EU referendum: Nigel Farage accused of giving ‘legitimisation to racism’ after linking immigration to sexual assault

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says claims by the Ukip leader that staying in the EU could lead to sexual attacks such as those which occurred on New Year's Eve in Cologne are ‘inexcusable’

Nigel Farage was widely condemned at the weekend for saying that the threat to British women of mass sex attacks if Britain voted to stay in the EU was the ‘nuclear bomb’ of the referendum campaign (Getty Images)

Britain’s most senior religious leader has accused the Ukip leader Nigel Farage of giving “legitimisation to racism” for his own political gain.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said claims by Mr Farage that staying in the European Union could lead to sexual attacks such as those which occurred on New Year's Eve in Cologne were “inexcusable”.

He also criticised the Leave campaign for stoking anti-Muslim sentiment with warnings about Turkey’s accession to the European Union.

Mr Farage was widely condemned at the weekend for saying that the threat to British women of mass sex attacks if Britain voted to stay in the EU was the “nuclear bomb” of the referendum campaign.

The archbishop told the Commons Home Affairs Committee: “I think that is an inexcusable pandering to people's worries and prejudices.

“That is giving legitimisation to racism which I've seen in parishes in which I've served, and has led to attacks on people in those parishes. We cannot legitimise that.

“What that is, is accentuating fear for political gain and that is absolutely inexcusable.”

The archbishop - who refused to be drawn on whether he was for Leave of Remain - accepted people had genuine fears about the impact of mass migration, but said that did not make them racists.

However, he said that the way to deal with such concerns was in ensure the communities affected had the resources they needed to cope.

“The answer to fear is not to say it's improper to fear. But it is to recognise fear and to address the causes of the fear,” he said.

The Labour MP David Winnick asked the archbishop whether he was concerned that the referendum campaign and warnings from the Leave camp about the possibility of Turkey joining the EU had combined with widespread fear of Islamist terrorism to stoke anti-Muslim feeling in the UK.

Mr Welby replied: “It is a very, very major concern indeed. I have very close relations with a number of Muslim leaders across the country and there is a greater and greater suspicion. As we all know there is a much higher level of hate crime than there used to be.

“There is a sort of sense of 'Are we about to become an Islamic country?' which hovers around. Once you ask a number of questions, you realise it's just fear and there is no evidence of any kind backing up what they are saying, but somehow it all feels very threatening and that results in a high level of prejudice against Muslims, and particularly observant Muslims.”

Asked if he agreed with anti-immigration campaigners who suggest the UK is “full”, he replied: “If I'm honest, no, I don't think Britain is full. We can take more people in, but we have to think very, very hard about doing it.”

The archbishop accepted there would be a limit on the number of people Britain could support, but said he did not know what the figure was, adding: “I don't think we are there yet.”

He confirmed that, nine months after he offered to house a Syrian family at Lambeth Palace, no refugees have moved in.

It had proved difficult to identify an appropriate family, but it was hoped that one would arrive within “a reasonable distance” of time, he said.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz pointed out that Church leaders had signed a call for the Government to take in an additional 30,000 Syrian refugees, and said: “It's been nine months. If we can't clear the archbishop in that time, what hope is there for the rest of us?”

Mr Welby said it would be “absolutely irresponsible” for the Government not to listen to concerns about the impact of immigration on communities and public services, but added: “There is also a point when we say that the role of government has to be to say certain things need to be done and certain things are right and to allay people's fears.”

He also voiced concern about prejudice against Jews, telling the committee: “As a nation we have to recognise that anti-Semitism has been the root and origin of most racist behaviour for the last 1,000 years in this country.

“We have a shameful record until very recently in historic terms. It seems to be something that is latent under the surface and bubbles to the surface very easily indeed.”

The archbishop said that, while it was “fashionable” to discuss the challenge of migration from Syria and Libya, it should not be forgotten that “vast numbers” of people had been displaced from their homes by climate change in southern Africa and the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The EU referendum debate has so far been characterised by bias, distortion and exaggeration. So until 23 June we we’re running a series of question and answer features that explain the most important issues in a detailed, dispassionate way to help inform your decision.

What is Brexit and why are we having an EU referendum?

Will we gain or lose rights by leaving the European Union?

What will happen to immigration if there's Brexit?

Will Brexit make the UK more or less safe?

Will the UK benefit from being released from EU laws?

Will leaving the EU save taxpayers money and mean more money for the NHS?

What will Brexit do to UK trade?

How Brexit will affect British tourism

What will Brexit mean for British tourists booking holidays in the EU?

Will Brexit help or damage the environment?

Will Brexit mean that Europeans have to leave the UK?

What will Brexit mean for British expats?