An influential Muslim leader was accused of making antisemitic comments at one of France’s largest events on Islam on Wednesday.

Hani Ramadan, a Swiss Imam, allegedly said in a speech at the 31st Congress of the Union of Islamic Organisations in France (UOIF), held in Paris, that “all the evil in the world originates from the Jews and the Zionist barbarism”.

During his lecture, which was delivered to thousands, Mr Ramadan also reportedly criticised French Prime Minister Manuel Valls for “publicly wearing a kippah” while calling for a ban on Muslims wearing veils in public.

He allegedly said: “Against these international schemes of Zionist power, there is only one rampart: Islam.”

Mr Ramadan is no stranger to controversy. His brother, Swiss professor Tariq Ramadan, was banned from travelling to the United States after donating money to Palestinian groups accused of terrorism.