Nigel Farage backs Andrea Leadsom for leader and slams ‘cold’ May

NIGEL Farage has endorsed Andrea Leadsom to become Tory leader, saying she has the "guts" to take on Brussels.

He also slated frontrunner Theresa May as “cold” and lacking courage.

This comes as pressure group Leave.EU, owned by Ukip donor Arron Banks, backed Mrs Leadsom to take over at Number 10.

The ex-Ukip leader, who stepped down last week, said he was backing the fellow Eurosceptic even if success for the 53-year-old Tory would damage his own party’s future chances.

Mr Farage said the he “hardly knew anything of Andrea Leadsom” but added that the former city banker was “very open, straightforward and even friendly” when he shared a pro-Brexit platform with her.

But 52-year-old Farage was not as complimentary towards the Home Secretary.

Branding her “cold”, he told the Times: "I've never met anyone, no matter how long or how closely they have worked with her, who can claim to know her, or what makes her tick.

“I believe that it is important that the country can get a feel for the character of their leader.

“Mrs May might as well be made of alabaster.

"More importantly, we have to ask where this hidden heart is on the great issue of the day.

“The Brexit vote was the biggest vote in our lifetime and Mrs May failed the test.

“Some say she really wants Brexit, but if true then I believe her actions showed cowardice.

“If she actually believed in our county's liberty — and remember there were suggestions she would be leading the Out campaign for a few short hours back in February, then she should have done so.”

Mr Farage’s endorsement comes as energy Minister Mrs Leadsom denied any links to Ukip.

She said: “They don't advise me, I don't know them, I've never even met Arron Banks.

“My big hope in this campaign is that when we leave the EU that Ukip will be a thing of the past.”