Muslim and Jewish groups have spoken out over the treatment of a rabbi who was berated outside a mosque he had been invited to speak at.

Rabbi Arnold Saunders, a councillor in Salford, who uses a walking stick, was left shaking as he was harangued and called a “snake”.

He had gone to Masjid Bilal mosque in Prestwich, to speak after prayers last Friday, as he is standing for the Conservative Party in the Bury South constituency in the General Election.

He had been invited there by Muslim elders, but a video online shows the elderly candidate being abused before he enters and finally leaves without speaking.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it is concerned over the ‘troubling footage’. 

A statement read: “We are deeply troubled by the footage showing a candidate, being subjected to abusive behaviour outside a mosque in Prestwich. As we approach the final days of this election campaign we reiterate the need for a respectful approach to all campaigning. 

“Naturally voters should have the right to scrutinise candidates seeking their vote. 

“But that should not excuse suspending our Islamic obligation to be respectful and maintain good manners. We are aware the mosque is managing this issue locally given their strong relationship with the Jewish community.”

During the four-minute incident, 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.”

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, said in a statement: “Rabbi Saunders is a much respected communal figure and we unequivocally condemn his treatment in this video.

“It is unquestionably antisemitic and we expect action to be taken.

“The incident occurred following an invitation by the mosque to meet their congregants.

“As an organisation we were delighted to invite and welcome members from the Mosque to our Hustings.

“The fact he has been attacked emphasises how individuals are importing the tragic conflict taking place in Israel and Gaza onto the streets of the UK.

“This is manifesting itself in politicians campaigning in a General Election being targeted, abused and unable to freely move around the constituencies they are seeking to represent.

“When politicians are unable to speak about their views in public, have meetings disrupted and their offices attacked, it constitutes a real risk to our democracy.

“We hope that there are no further scenes of this nature as we approach polling day.”