French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen's father Jean-Marie has suggested his daughter is unfit to lead the country.

His words come just a day before France goes to the polls to decide between the former National Front leader and centrist Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking from his Paris office, Mr Le Pen, 88, told The Sunday Times he believed his granddaughter National Front MP Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, 28, would have made a better candidate.

Jean-Marie Le Pen has suggested he believes his daughter is unfit to be the next French president

Rift: Marine Le Pen pictured with her father Jean-Marie in 2011

Far-right candidate Ms Le Pen and her father have been on frosty terms since she dismissed him from the party three years ago.

The decision came after Mr Le Pen, who led the party himself for nearly 40 years, referred to the Holocaust as a minor detail of World War II. The pair have not spoken since.

Speaking of his daughter's presidential potential, Mr Le Pen said: 'She has character; she doesn't lack that. But you also need other qualities.'

He added that Ms Le Pen had given a 'disappointing' performance in last week's television debate in which he accused her of hurling personal criticism at Macron in an unsuccessful attempt to induce a 'psychological meltdown' in her rival.

Ms Le Pen and presidential favourite Emmanuel Macron pose prior to the start of their televised debate

The former presidential candidate said his dismissal from the party had been a display of 'ingratitude' from his daughter and he criticised her for not approaching him for advice for her campaign.

Despite his scathing analysis, Mr Le Pen stressed that he wanted Marine to win the presidential election - the chances of which are slim.

'I've called unequivocally for people to vote for Marine Le Pen,' he said.