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A UKIP parliamentary candidate has been blasted after a gaffe led to him appearing to tell the audience at a youth debate that his party was against young people being taught Islam in schools.

Manchester Central hopeful Myles Power, speaking at the National Youth Debate at the People’s History Museum, said UKIP believed children taught the religion often felt ‘uncherished by the British establishment’.

Audience members, mostly 16 to 25-year-olds, gasped and laughed in disbelief as Mr Power made the comments.

He later apologised, saying he was trying to make the point that children should be protected from radicalisation but had got tongue-tied.

Listen to what Mr Power said in the video above

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Mr Power had told the audience: “We don’t agree with young people being...having some sort of Islamic teachings and made to feel that they’re not cherished by the British establishment.

“We just feel that this needs to be brought back into line within the current education policy; that’s what we actually need to do.

"We need to stop this sort of thing that’s going on in schools.”

He later said: “I’m ashamed by what I said.

"But what I was trying to say was I’m wanting to ensure young people are protected against radicalisation. I’m in no way racist.”

He insisted he meant to refer to children being exposed to radical Islamic teachings, adding: “I don’t think any sensible person would disagree with me on that.

“I didn’t mean all Islamic teaching but not being a professional politician, just an average working man, I’m not as smoothly-polished as some of the other parties’ candidates.”

He apologised for causing offence but said he is ‘adamant’ religion is a ‘part of British culture and identity’ – and accused Labour of ignoring radicalism.

Manchester Labour MP Lucy Powell, who was also on the panel, said: “You cannot answer a question about British values and go straight to religion.

"That’s absolutely wrong.”

The event, part of a national debate, was organised by youth charity UpRising.

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