Nigel Farage Slams 'Miserable' Angela Merkel and Hails 'Brilliant' Vladimir Putin

Ukip leader Nigel Farage has derided German chancellor Angela Merkel, calling her "miserable" and "cold".

The most powerful female politician in the world got short shrift from Farage, who 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."

Speaking to Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alistair Campbell for GQ magazine, Farage explained: "I warm to more extrovert people."

Britain's top politicians also got a verbal lashing from the 49-year-old former trader. Labour's leader Ed Miliband was described as "unworldly"; PM David Cameron as a "perfectly nice fellow who stands four square for nothing"; while Nick Clegg was "just wrong".

One national leader who did win praise from Farage was Vladimir Putin. The Russian president is a favourite with the Ukip leader, despite a consensus of condemnation and sanctions for annexing Crimea.

Explaining his attraction to the former KGB agent, Farage said: "As an operator, but not as a human being, I would say Putin. The way he played the whole Syria thing. Brilliant. Not that I approve of him politically. How many journalists in jail now?"

Ukip is gearing up for upcoming local and EU elections in England in which it is expected to net big gains at councils around the country.

Meanwhile, Farage was recently accused of an affair during an Assembly debate. He dismissed the claim by former Ukip member Nikki Sinclaire as "nonsense".