UKIP leader Nigel Farage has expressed his “shock” at the rise of antisemitism in Europe.

Mr Farage made the comments while meeting Board of Deputies chief executive Gillian Merron in Brussels on Wednesday.

She was leading a delegation of Board representatives to discuss the possible creation of a European Union taskforce on antisemitism.

Board vice-president Alex Brummer was part of the group which met MEPs and Jewish organisations.

An antisemitism taskforce was initially proposed by campaigners and MEPs last December but was rejected by the European Parliament.

It has been discussed again following the terrorist attacks on the Jewish communities in Paris and Copenhagen.

Representatives from Labour, the Conservative Party, UKIP and the Ulster Unionists attended the meeting with Board representatives.