The controversial politician from the Right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD), Marcus Pretzell, said on Sunday that if refugees tried to cross the German border by force, it would be reasonable to use firearms to stop them.

Marcus Pretzell, AfD’s regional chairman in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, said: “Defending the German border with armed force as a last resort is self-evident.”

“When you fire the first shot into the air, it makes it clear that we are resolved,” he continued.

However, he has previously said that “no reasonable person would think of shooting at refugees because they cross the border”, stressing that would be the last resort. Water cannons and tear gas could also be used, he said.