Nicola Sturgeon calls far-right candidate a ‘fascist’ in street confrontation

Nicola Sturgeon has been praised for her handling of a confrontation with a far-right candidate outside a polling station in Glasgow.

Sturgeon called right-wing candidate Jayda Fransen a “fascist and a racist” as Fransen approached her and initiated a confrontation.

The SNP leader also predicted voters in Glasgow Southside, where Fransen is standing as an independent candidate, would reject the right-wing candidate at the polls.

Fransen was deputy leader of far-right group Britain First for five years from 2014 to 2019.

She then founded the British Freedom Party.

The far-right activist has twice been convicted of racially aggravated harassment, in November 2016 and March 2018, and also of stirring up hatred, in March 2019.

She served 36 weeks in prison for the 2018 conviction.

In a video posted on social media, Fransen is seen approaching Sturgeon in the street.

As Fransen approaches, the SNP leader walks away, saying, “I’m sorry.”

Fransen then asks: “What are you sorry for? Mass immigration, Marxism?” as Sturgeon adds: “You’re a fascist. You’re a fascist.”

Fransen replies: “I’m not a fascist. Do you really think Marxism is what’s best for Scotland?”

She continues: “I've been on the ground speaking to locals who say you are an absolute disgrace."

Sturgeon responds: “We'll see what the locals' view is later on."

Fransen then claims: “The locals, what the ones you have flooded from other countries?

"The decent people of Scotland don't want it flooded with immigrants.”

Sturgeon replies: “You are a fascist, you are a racist and the southside of Glasgow will reject you.”

Sturgeon later tweeted: “Glasgow Southside is the most diverse and multi-cultural constituency in Scotland – one of the many things that makes it so brilliant.

“I am confident it will unite today to utterly reject these fascists.”