UKIP has selected a new candidate to stand in Hendon following the resignation of its previous candidate.

Raymond Shamash, an NHS oral surgeon in Northamptonshire, will contest the seat for the Eurosceptic party on May 7.

Dr Shamash was raised in north west London, and went to school at Christ’s College, Finchley, before studying dentistry at Leeds University.

He served as a medical officer in the Israeli Army during the Yom Kippur war, and is married with three daughters.

Writing on UKIP Barnet’s website, he said: “I am proud of the NHS in which I work and will fight to protect it by promoting a points-based immigration policy. This will allow a continued flow of medical professionals from outside our shores while restricting medical tourism, which is an enormous drain on the NHS budget.

“Hendon has benefited from immigration, which is evidenced by the many Irish pubs, Bagel bakeries and Indian restaurants providing food and drink from many parts of the world; but we believe that the sheer scale and pace of immigration is tearing at our social fabric and swamping our unique British way of life.

“Whilst immigration provides benefits the time has come to introduce sensible controls to reduce the impact on so many of our basic services.

“After all, whilst the right amount of spice can improve and enhance a dish, too much can make it inedible!”

Mr Zeid announced his resignation yesterday, after it was revealed he called for President Obama to be kidnapped on social media last week.

Other candidates standing in Hendon include Matthew Offord for the Conservatives, Andrew Dismore for Labour, Ben Samuel for the Green Party and Alasdair Hill for the Liberal Democrats.