The rise of populist groups has “deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s”, the Prince of Wales said, as he warned of growing religious persecution across the world.

Appearing on Radio 4’s Thought for the Day slot, the Prince spoke of “increasingly aggressive” attitudes towards refugees fleeing Islamic State, and asked listeners to remember that Jesus had once been forced to escape religious persecution.

Aides to the Prince were quick to stress that the strongly-worded address, which he is understood to have written himself, was not aimed at any particular politician or group.