Nigel Farage has named Vladimir Putin as the world leader he most admires. He praised the Russian president’s skills as an “operator”, citing his “brilliant” handling of the civil war in Syria.
The Ukip leader’s comments emerged days after he provoked anger by accusing the European Union of having “blood on its hands” for encouraging the turmoil in Ukraine, which led to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Mr Farage was asked by GQ magazine’s new interviewer Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former spin chief, which world leader he most admired. “As an operator, but not as a human being, I would say Putin,” he replied. “The way he played the whole Syria thing. Brilliant. Not that I approve of him politically. How many journalists in jail now?”
Moscow is closely allied to the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and has supplied arms to his regime. It blocked moves to sanction him at the United Nations, but also took the lead in a brokering a deal under which Syria agreed to surrender its chemical weapons.
The remarks echo a clash with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in last week’s head-to-head debate in which the Ukip leader stressed he did not approve of Crimea’s annexation, but lambasted EU leaders for being “weak and vain” over Ukraine and Syria. He added: “If you poke the Russian bear with a stick, he will respond.”
Mr Farage later rejected accusations that he was siding with Mr Putin, but stood by his claim that the EU provoked the crisis by “destabilising” Ukraine.
The Deputy Prime Minister is expected to return to the theme on Wednesday in his second televised debate with the Ukip leader.
A Lib Dem minister said: “Farage has taken Putin’s side in the most outrageous land-grab in modern times and he must be held to account for that.”
Elsewhere in the interview – the first conducted by Mr Campbell for GQ – Mr Farage used highly undiplomatic language about the German Chancellor Angela Merkel who received the red carpet treatment on a visit to London this month.
The Ukip leader said: “She is incredibly cold. I always say - I agree this is a bit rude - but whatever you think of the public image of Merkel, in private she is even more miserable. I warm to more extrovert people.”
He claimed to see little to choose between the leaders of Britain's three major parties, insisting he did not “give a damn” whether David Cameron or Ed Miliband triumphs in next year’s general election.
He said Mr Cameron was “a perfectly nice fellow who stands four-square for nothing”, Mr Miliband was a “nice chap, not very worldly - I would love to see him in a working men's club in Newcastle” and Mr Clegg was a “very nice guy, just wrong”.
ska said:I dunno. He seems very much like absoloutely all the others to me.
Just more charming , more charismatic and a better orator.
Michael Hesseltine, the old Tory deputy leader said pretty much the same thing- no one even noticed now that he's too old to bethe Tory party pin-up boy!
Nigel Farage's real skill seems to me, to be picking up on what appears to be popular public opinion and reflecting it as his own.
(reads The Sun and Daily Mail on Monday - gives his opinion on Tuesday)
He's not got any seats in parliament and has nothing at all to lose. He can say what he likes to gain popularity.
All the current parties are so awful he has rich pickings, it's like shooting fish in a barrell.
Pick a policy, take the opposite line - bingo!
Maybe I am cynical, but he seems just the same as any other politician trying to win votes.
In my view, they really ae all the same and he is no exception, maybe even worse as there seems to be a darker side to the
UKIP party that is revealed in things said by the other members of his party. (Actually, not worse. 'Cos they are are, all the same.)
Althought that could be their naivety as a political party that other more established parties are more experienced at hiding their darker sides.
As I said, maybe I am just an old cynic but who remebers a young Tony Blair and "New Labour"?
ska said:Hi Paddyjohn
Yes, I did see the debate and he was very good, but I'm afraid I still don't trust him.
It concerns me that so many homophobes and racists seem to find a kindred spirit in the party, although to be fair Farage does distance himself from that fringe.
I will get around to watching the CH4 thing (linked below) some time.
It might be that you see something I am missing !
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/nigel-farage-who-are-you/4od#3676310
"Filmed over six months, controversial filmmaker Martin Durkin meets controversial UKIP leader and political whirlwind Nigel Farage, in the run-up to the European elections, at which some commentators predict Farage will lead UKIP to victory. They also believe he may stop the Conservatives from winning the general election.
A few years ago, no one had heard of Nigel Farage; now he's a major force in British politics. But who is Nigel Farage? Durkin finds out on a journey full of incident: drink in hand, Nigel guides viewers through his favourite watering holes in the City, and he sneaks the film crew into the Euro Parliament, only to be swiftly ejected.
From battling with protestors to keeping UKIP MEPs in line, Durkin gets to know the man who is turning British politics upside down."
ska said:tonight, tonight?
I seem to be randomly repeating myself!
(must be getting over excited. Sorry Sorry)
Esoterica said:Farage came across very well in the debate last night, seemed exceptionally calm and composed in light of some blatant scaremongering and distortions from the PTB shill Clegg.
He was more reticent about the 'blood on the EUs hands' issue, I wonder if he realized that he had unmasked the beast and saw the potential consequences?