Nigel Farage has hit out at “deeply unpleasant” ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, saying she is the most “arrogant” individual he has met in politics.
The GB News presenter spoke about his encounters with both Sturgeon and Alba Party leader Alex Salmond, admitting he would rather go for a pint with the latter.
It comes as the 52-year-old deals with SNP financial turmoil, which some reports suggest could see her facing arrest.
Police Scotland are currently investigating the party’s finances and have rocked the SNP by arresting ex-chief executive Peter Murrell and current treasurer Colin Beattie.
Nigel Farage hits out at Nicola Sturgeon
GB News / PA
According to The Independent, Sturgeon is another who could be arrested as she is one of the three names believed to be on party accounts, according to a senior SNP figure.
Speaking on GB News, Nigel Farage hit out at the former leader of the party, saying she has always been less than receptive during their encounters.
Asked whether he would prefer to go for a pint with her or Alex Salmond, he responded: “I’ve got to tell you, the times I’ve done debates with Nicola Sturgeon, been face to face with Nicola Sturgeon and walked past Nicola Sturgeon in corridors, I don’t think I’ve met anyone in politics, anywhere in the world, who is so deeply arrogant and unpleasant as Nicola Sturgeon.
“Alex Salmond, I think the use of the word ‘independence’ is nonsense when for all of those years he wanted to be a part of the European Union.
Nicola Sturgeon's husband was arrested by police
PA“You can’t be an independent country and be a part of the European Union.
“But Alex Salmond, you can believe what you want to believe over court cases, over allegations, all the rest of it, I’ve always thought of him to be a larger than life, deeply flawed, but very human person.
“No problem having a few pints with Alex Salmond, none whatsoever.”
Sturgeon, Murrell and Beatie were named on the financial information shown the the SNP conference last year, according to The Independent’s source.
They added that before any potential arrest for Sturgeon, the police would look to “cover their bases” first.
Colin Beattie, who is also an MSP, was arrested by Police Scotland as a part of their investigation into how more than £660,000 in donations had been used.
Some MPs and MSPs have added it is “inevitable” that Sturgeon will be interviewed by the police under caution in the coming weeks.
Both Colin Beattie and Peter Murrell have been released without charge pending further investigation.