Lynch attacks Farage for remarks against migrants

Comments by Nigel Farage, the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip), suggesting that immigrants should not be allowed to use the state education system have been described as “appalling” by the Church.

Bishop Patrick Lynch also warned Ukip against scapegoating and discriminating against migrants.

The disagreement between Bishop Lynch and Ukip came only days after the bishop met  two Ukip MEPs for a discussion on policies in which Ukip claimed it had gained “top marks on the headline issues”.

The current dispute was sparked by Mr Farage saying in an interview: “I wouldn’t foresee people coming into Britain immediately being allowed to bring children to go through the state system.”

Bishop Lynch, who is the bishops’ conference spokesman on immigration, responded by saying: “The UK has a long, proud and humane tradition of responding to the needs of immigrants’ children. It is proven that education is a key element in integrating diverse communities. I recognise that in some places there are strains on resources but as a society we need to respond to this need rather than scapegoating any one group. I am appalled by any suggestion of discriminating against immigrants.”

A Ukip spokesman then distanced the party from Mr Farage’s remarks and emphasised that Ukip’s spokesman on migration is Steven Woolfe, the MEP for North West England, one of the party’s representatives who met with Bishop Lynch last Thursday.

“Just as the Catholic faith does not depend on the arbitrary whim of every passing Pontiff, so Ukip policy is decided by the national executive council, and not by Nigel in his every speculative and personal response to a journalist,” the spokesman said. “The Ukip spokesman on migration is Steven Woolfe and this isn’t part of the policy package. Bishop Lynch can relax.”