Nigel Farage accuses BBC of 'scaremongering' and 'clear bias' as he fights to haul Ukip out of free fall ahead of live ITV leaders' debate

The Ukip leader said the BBC appeared to be 'pro-segregation' after questioning his comments about children from different backgrounds playing in the street

Nigel Farage leaves the BBC's New Broadcasting House following a radio interview in London on 2 April, 2015 (Reuters)

Nigel Farage has defended Ukip after a string of scandals and a drop in the polls by accusing the BBC of "scaremongering" on migration and "clear and evident bias" against his party.

Tonight's TV debate could be a make-or-break moment for Ukip, whose popularity has continued to fall from its strong position at the start of the year.

The Independent's latest poll of polls shows Ukip (in purple) well down from their strong position at the start of the year

Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Farage pushed Ukip's focus on immigration and said that while a cap was "mathematically impossible", he wanted to see net migration down to 50,000 a year.

But told that under Ukip's plans skilled workers like carpenters, plasterers and electricians would still be able to stay in the country, he said they were "in many cases undercutting British workers, not always up to the same levels of quality".

During the interview, posts on Mr Farage's Twitter account issued a series of complaints accusing the BBC of "wilfully misinterpreting comments" and "scaremongering".

Mr Farage also appeared on Sky News, where he criticised the format for tonight's crucial seven-way TV debate as David Cameron's "wish".

He said: "I'm feeling pretty good and I'm pleased at least there is a debate.

"I'm sorry there are so many people on the panel, but this was the Prime Minister's wish.

"But it's happening, we've got a chance to have a proper discussion this evening, and I hope the truth comes out on some issues," he said.

The Ukip leader said he would use the debates to keep the spotlight on immigration, saying: "Particularly, I shall be arguing and asking the Prime Minister and others, will they please admit that, as members of the EU, we cannot have an immigration policy of any kind at all.

"If you look at what voters are concerned about, clearly the economy, the NHS and immigration dominate people's discussions about this election, with immigration perhaps being top of the list. The first thing we have to do is have an honest debate about it."