A mosque has apologised after a borough Conservative candidate was berated in an incident at a community event he was invited to.

Rabbi Arnold Saunders went to Masjid Bilal mosque in Prestwich to speak after prayers last Friday, as he is standing for the Conservatives in Bury South in the General Election on Thursday.

He had been invited there by Muslim elders, but a video online showed Rabbi Saunders being abused before he enters and finally leaves without speaking.

In a four-minute incident captured on video at the event, a man shouting at Rabbi Saunders tells him not to “come to the house of Allah” and orders him to leave, claiming: “You justified children to be murdered…when you are with your own people these are the things you say, then you come here and smile like a snake".

But the Bury Old Road mosque has condemned the behaviour shown towards Rabbi Saunders.

In a statement, the mosque said: “The event was well received, and the Rabbi was welcomed, and most people present engaged positively.

“Unfortunately, one or two individuals questioned the Rabbi in a hostile manner and this clip has been widely circulated.

"This clip was recorded by one of the individuals himself.

“The Rabbi was a guest of the mosque, and he was treated inappropriately and disrespectfully.

"Any genuine political questions should have been raised respectfully.

“We regret what has happened, we have already apologised to the Rabbi for how he was treated and wish to extend our apologies to others who have seen the clip and are upset by it.

“This incident is not reflective of the congregation of the mosque or the Muslim community in Bury.”

The mosque has also called for anyone attending election events to “remain calm and respectful while questioning candidates or holding politicians to account".

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Rabbi Saunders said: “I thank the mosque for inviting me. On the whole the visit went well. It just saddens me that some individuals tried to spoil it.”

The behaviour in the video has also been condemned by The Board of Deputies of British Jews and Labour's Bury South candidate Christian Wakeford.

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester said in a statement that the incident was “unquestionably antisemitic” and they expect action to be taken.