Nigel Farage 's controversial claim that foreign nationals with HIV should not be treated on the NHS was part of what insiders called a ‘ shock and awful ’ strategy . A Ukip source revealed the party had initially planned for Mr Farage to mention the number of foreign patients suffering from tuberculosis , in the leaders debates last night . But when it was discovered that the antiretroviral drugs to treat people with HIV were more expensive , a decision was taken to use that example instead . Scroll down for video . Nigel Farage 's controversial claim that foreign nationals with HIV should not be treated on the NHS was part of what insiders called a ‘ shock and awful ’ strategy . Mr Farage was greeted with silence in the hall when he said during the debate about the NHs that of the 7,000 diagnosed with HIV , 60 per cent were born abroad . After saying this was something the other leaders would be ‘ mortified that I dare to even talk about it ’ , he said : ‘ You can come to Britain from anywhere in the world and get diagnosed with HIV and get the retroviral drugs that cost up to £25,000 per year per patient . ‘ I know there are some horrible things happening in many parts of the world , but what we need is to put the National Health Service there for the British people and families who have paid into this system for decades. ’ Despite criticism from other parties and viewers , Ukip revealed it had been part of a deliberate strategy to appeal to their ‘ core voter ’ – not to try and attract floating voters to the party . A Ukip insider said Mr Farage ’ s remark was ‘ a bit spicy ’ . They added : ‘ We were going to go for TB but we found out that the HIV drugs were more expensive ’ . The strategy , it was claimed , was ‘ shock and awe , or as some would call it shock and awful. ’ Mr Farage was greeted with silence in the hall when he said during the debate about the NHs that of the 7,000 diagnosed with HIV , 60 per cent were born abroad . It comes after Ukip ’ s share of the vote in recent polls has dropped significantly from highs of 19pc late last year , to just 10pc in several polls over the past month , as supporters appear to have returned to the Conservatives and Labour . Mr Farage has claimed he would stand down if he does not win the seat he is contesting in Thanet South , and last night all of his answers focused on the need to curb immigration . Ukip first MP Douglas Carswell refused to endorse Mr Farage ’ s remark . Asked several times whether he agreed with it , he said Mr Farage had given ‘ credible ’ answers in the debate . Douglas Carswell has refused to endorse Mr Farage 's remarks . Mr Carswell , the MP for Clacton in Essex , added : ‘ It is sensible and reasonable to say we want a national health service , not an international health service , and that ’ s all I ’ m going to say. ’ George Osborne , the Chancellor , said the remarks were intended to provoke a reaction from ministers and said ‘ I ’ m not going to dignify them with a response ’ . A half-time poll from ComRes/ITV News poll showed 24 per cent of voters giving Mr Farage the lead in the debate , but almost as many thought he was also the worst of the seven leaders . Jo Swinson , the Liberal Democrat business minister , said the remarks were ‘ breathtakingly appalling ’ . Mr Carswell ’ s father , Wilson , was a respected physician and fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons who diagnosed the first confirmed cases of HIV in Uganda in the 1970s . He was the inspiration for the character of Dr Nicholas Garrigan in The Last King of Scotland . Mr Carswell yesterday insisted the party was not split . He said : ‘ I see what you ’ re trying to do in asking me this slanted question . I thought Nigel was superb in the debates . His answers were credible. ’ Mr Farage appeared to embarrass Mr Carswell when he won his seat in a by-election in October by calling for a ban on people with HIV entering the UK . Mr Carswell said at the time : ‘ I think this row has been slightly confected . Noone is seriously suggesting we should screen people for HIV coming in . ’
Ukip leader said foreigners with HIV should not be treated on the NHS . Mr Farage had planned to mention foreign patients suffering from TB . He chose HIV after discovering NHS drugs to treat disease more expensive .