A Conservative MP caused uproar in the House of Commons after he claimed that refugees "going on holiday to the places they fled from" are preventing him from getting a haircut.

Adam Holloway, the MP for Gravesham, was speaking during an emergency debate called by Yvette Cooper on the refugee crisis.

He said: "It’s quite possible to be a refugee and an economic migrant, and I think that’s one of the appalling truths, if you like, of the Syrian bodies that are being washed up on the beaches.

"They previously got to safe countries and now they’re choosing to come in Europe…

"We have people in this country who have come here, have claimed asylum, and then they go back on holiday in the places they’ve claimed asylum from.

"I couldn't have my hair cut the other day for that reason."

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Downing Street has reportedly distanced itself from the backbench MP and ex-journalist after he made his comments, which drew cries of protest in the Commons.

In the same debate Mr Holloway said that European countries offering asylum to refugees fleeing to the West were "bonkers" and said this was not a xenophobic position.

Stella Creasy criticised him for his comments, saying: "It’s not a pull factor. It’s fleeing for your life that’s making people take this risk."

Stella Creasy criticised Adam Holloway's comments on refugees (PA)

Germany's vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel today said the country could take roughly half a million asylum seekers for several years to come.