A Jewish Ukip candidate has said British rescue workers should harbour Christian migrants – but send Muslims to Saudi Arabia.

Raymond Shamash, who is standing in Hendon, north-west London, also proposed setting up “detention camps, though not on European soil – to sort out the genuine refugees from economic migrants”.

He added: “Those declined refugee status should be returned to their country of origin.”

Dr Shamash, a semi-retired dentist from Borehamwood, made the remarks after migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea on their way to Europe last week.

He said: “The migrants are coming from Syria, Eritrea, Mali and other failed states in the throes of war, corruption and Islamic extremism.

“The unspoken fear is whether we might put our own citizens at risk by allowing migration from countries where violent extremism and terrorism is a day-to-day occurrence.

“Nigel Farage has cut through the political correctness by stating that we should offer the Christian refugees asylum, especially from Syria.

“As he says, the Christians have nowhere else to go.

“Why shouldn’t the UK - culturally and historically Christian - not offer help to their own fellow Christians?

“The Muslim refugees could and should be offered asylum by huge rich countries such as Saudi Arabia.”

Dr Shamash, who served in the Israel Defence Forces during the Six Day War, said Israel should join the UK in harbouring Christian migrants.

He said: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Israel opened her doors to these Christian refugees on her door-step? Would we not then be a light unto the nations?”