Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby waded into the immigration debate yesterday after a minister suggested some parts of the country felt “under siege” by immigrants.

Mr Welby warned politicians not to demonise immigration as a “deep menace” to society in response to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon’s comments, which he later admitted were “a bit careless.”

However, Mr Fallon maintained that the “large number” of immigrants coming from the continent was putting pressure on essential services in Britain.

Mr Welby said that he was worried about the use of language in the debate amid an upsurge of anti-immigrant abuse and urged people not to suggest that new arrivals could “overwhelm” Britain.

“With some people we have a duty of care. We also have a duty of care to the poorest of our own land and to managing the process of immigration prudently and carefully, but also generously and hospitably,” he told reporters.