The Archbishop of York has criticised Nigel Farage for having a “knee-jerk” response to small boat migration.

Speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, the acting head of the Church of England said Britons must “actively resist” the “isolationist” attitude of the Reform UK party leader.

Launching his ‘Operation Restoring Justice’ manifesto this week, Farage claimed he would deport 600,000 male migrants, were he to be elected to number 10 Downing Street.

Anti-migrant riots have been concentrated around the Bell Hotel in Essex, where an Ethiopian asylum seeker was lodging before he allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. Colchester Magistrates’ court heard that man, thought to be 41, told the girl: “Come back to Africa, you would be a good wife,” and attempted to kiss her.

On Friday, the government won a legal challenge, meaning it can continue to house migrants in hotels.

Farage claimed he would be willing to pay money to the Taliban-controlled Afghan government in exchange for taking back asylum seekers.

He also told press that church leaders are “out of touch with their flock” on the issue of migration.

Most Revd Stephen Cottrell responded by insisting the party leader’s plans do not “solve a problem,” but “put it somewhere else, and do nothing to address the issues that bring people to this country”.

“If you think [Farage’s plans] are the answer, you will discover in due course that all you have done is made the problem worse,” said Cottrell.

"Don't misunderstand me, I have every sympathy with those who find this difficult, every sympathy - as I do with those living in poverty.

"But… we should actively resist the kind of isolationist, short-term kneejerk 'send them home'."

Reform's Richard Tice rejected the criticism, saying his party is "looking out for the needs of British citizens".