JEREMY Corbyn has said he is “astonished” at the way Nicola Sturgeon described him in her memoir – and invited her to meet to talk it over.
The former SNP leader’s book, Frankly, was published earlier in August, and Corbyn was one of the political figures she criticised.
“I never warmed to Corbyn," Sturgeon wrote. "I met him a few times during his leadership of the Labour Party and he exuded the same aura of aloofness and sneering superiority that I have detected in many men on the far left over the years, particularly around women.”
Corbyn was in Glasgow on Friday to speak at a picket line outside the Village hotel, where youth-led strike action had seen bosses brought to the table as part of an equal pay dispute.
After addressing a crowd of around 100-150 people, Corbyn spoke to the media and was asked about Sturgeon’s description of him.
He responded: “I'm astonished she should say that. I really am.
“Nicola, if you're watching this, get over it. Just get over it.
“I thought you and I got on quite well when I was leader of the opposition and you were leader of the SNP. In fact, I seem to remember some quite convivial conversations with you. Can't we have some more of those?
“I don't sneer at anybody and certainly not at you.”
He went on: “Nicola Sturgeon, I got on very well with her. I thought she was very clear, very determined, and very efficient as a leader.
“I treated her with respect and to be quite honest, she also treated me with respect at the meetings we had.
“So Nicola, again, if you're watching this, let's have a cup of tea.
“And by the way, I want to get you a copy of your book as well.”
Elsewhere, Corbyn was asked for his position on Scottish independence. Earlier on Friday, his new left-wing party – as yet known just as Your Party – announced the launch of its first Scottish branch.
The Islington North MP said his position remained the same as it had when he led the Labour Party.
“The Scottish people have a right to decide their own future,” he told press. “Therefore, if the Scottish people want a second referendum, that's fine by me, and I would support that.
“It's not up to me to decide what the future of Scotland or Wales is. It’s up to the people of those places to do it.
“I said when I was leader of the Labour Party, which was actually quite controversial, that I would actually back another referendum if that's what was requested and I say the same now.”
