Theresa May says 'without its Jews Britain would not be Britain'

The Home Secretary made the remarks in London after the Paris attacks

(Getty)

Theresa May has said that greater efforts must be made to combat anti-Semitism and “without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain”.

The Home Secretary asserted that the country would not be the same without people of different faiths, while she was speaking at an event in London to commemorate the victims of the Paris attacks.

Mrs May praised the contribution Jewish people make to the UK and said that the unity displayed in the French capital and around the world, with people repeating “Je suis Charlie” was “tremendous”.

But she said she was troubled at the threats now faced by Jewish people. "I never thought I would see the day when members of the Jewish community in the United Kingdom would say they were fearful of remaining here in the United Kingdom."

Commenting on the French prime minister Manuel Valls' statement: “If 100,000 Jews leave, France will no longer be French, the French Republic will be judged a failure," Mrs May said: “It is a sentiment I well understand, one that holds true for Britain.

“Without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain, just as without its Muslims, Britain would not be Britain - without its Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and people of other faiths, Britain would not be Britain,” she added.

PA