The Archbishop of Canterbury has put himself at odds with David Cameron by suggesting Britain is not a Christian country in terms of church-going.

The Most Rev Justin Welby's comments follow criticism of the Prime Minister's claim that the country should be most confident about its status as a Christian one. He added it should also be "more evangelical" about faith.

Mr Cameron has been accused by 50 leading public figures of risking sowing the seeds of "alienation and division" in society.

The Most Rev Welby, the leader of the Church of England, wrote in a blog yesterday: "It is clear that, in the general sense of being founded in Christian faith, this is a Christian country.

"It is certainly not in terms of regular churchgoing, although altogether, across different denominations, some millions attend church services each week."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, an athiest, called for the separation of church and state.

The 2011 Census found 37% of people in Scotland regard ­themselves as non-religious, but 32% classed themselves as Church of Scotland and 16% Catholic followers.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said: "The church and the state should be separate, albeit the present United Kingdom constitution precludes such separation.

"A foundational principle of any constitution should be religious freedom and a commitment to such freedom would not disadvantage any group or individual."

A Kirk spokesman said it hoped Scotland would "remain a fair and pluralist society where people of all faiths can contribute to the wellbeing of the nation."