The UKIP leader Nigel Farage has insisted the UK should only accept "a few thousand" Christian refugees who come to Europe on boats from Africa.
It would be "fine" to accept a small number, he said, but Europe should return most of them to their home country.
"[If] we have to give some Christians refugee status given that with Iraq and Libya there's almost nowhere for them to go then fine but Europe can't send the message that everyone who comes will be accepted," he told BBC Breakfast.
"If it does then the numbers we are talking about here could literally be millions."
Mr Farage was speaking after 800 migrants died when boats sank off Libya at the weekend.
It's believed they were trying to flee parts of Africa and the UNHCR says the disaster was "the deadliest incident in the Mediterranean we have ever recorded".
Mr Farage was asked if he meant only Christians should be given asylum in the UK: "I am saying we can make a gesture and we could give refugee status to a few people and I am highlighting the plight of the Christians."
"I am suggesting they should make sure that those who are coming in vessels which are not seaworthy are put on vessels that are seaworthy and taken back to where they come from."
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