FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Mr Farage said the upcoming presidential election in France could be "the most important in modern times". Speaking to RT UK, the former Ukip leader said that said the election could be a battle for the future of Europe's ideology. His remarks come as polls put centrist independent candidate Emmanuel Macron neck-and-neck with Front National's Marine Le Pen.

RT Nigel Farage said the upcoming presidential election in France could be "the most important" ever

In the interview, Mr Farage said: "I think it depends on who the run-off is against. "Is it Le Pen against Fillon, or Le Pen against Macron? "If it’s Macron, then it’s not just a battle of personalities but a battle of ideologies. "Because Macron is a big believer in building the United States of Europe and Le Pen is clearly sceptical. "This could be one of the most important elections in modern times."

GETTY Farage said that said the election could be a battle for the future of Europe's ideology

GETTY Le Pen has faced questioning by magistrates over misusing her MEP funds

Macron is a big believer in building the United States of Europe Nigel Farage

The election, taking place in May, looks set to pit Mr Macron against the Front National stalwart Ms Le Pen. Mr Macron, a former investment banker, has lauded the achievements of the European Union and has been called a "globalist" by Ms Le Pen, who has pledged to pull France out of the euro and hold a referendum on European Union membership. Macron, 39, was economy minister in President Francois Hollande's Socialist government but has never run for elected office. However, polls this week cemented the former investment banker Mr Macron's lead over his right-wing rival. According to the Odoxa poll, Mr Macron would win the first round on 23 April with 27 per cent in the first round on 23 April with Ms Le Pen behind him on 25.5 per cent and Mr Fillon on 19 per cent. He would cruise his way to victory in the second-round run-off.

GETTY Centre-right candidate François Fillon continues to sink the polls

GETTY Former investment banker Emmanuel Macron has cemented his status as favourite to win