Far-right Republican congresswoman, Trump ally and potential vice-presidential pick Marjorie Taylor Greene told a British interviewer to “Fuck off”, when asked about her frequent repetition of conspiracy theories.

Emily Maitlis, formerly a senior journalist at the BBC and now a presenter of the News Agents podcast, spoke to Greene at Donald Trump’s Super Tuesday celebration at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, as the former president closed in on the Republican nomination.

“Could you tell me why so many people that support Donald Trump love conspiracy theories, including yourself?” Maitlis asked.

Greene said: “Well, let me tell you, you’re a conspiracy theorist and the left and the media spreads more conspiracy theories. We like the truth. We like supporting our constitution, our freedoms and America first.”

Raising a famous instance of the congresswoman’s eager conspiracy theorising, concerning what she thought was to blame for starting forest fires, Maitlis said: “What about Jewish space lasers? Tell us about Jewish space lasers.”

“No,” Greene said. “Why don’t you go talk about Jewish space lasers and really, why don’t you fuck off? How about that?”

“Thank you very much,” Maitlis said, as Greene walked away.

Greene might have been advised to expect tricky questions. A highly experienced interviewer, in 2019 Maitlis memorably confronted Prince Andrew about his links with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a royal disaster so complete it has now been dramatised, Gillian Anderson starring as Maitlis.

Greene’s brief exchange with Maitlis started more civilly than it ended.

Maitlis asked what message Greene thought Republican voters were sending to Nikki Haley, the last challenger to Trump for the presidential nomination who suffered a near-Super Tuesday wipeout.

“Well, we’ve been encouraging her to drop out and support President Trump,” Greene said. “And I think tonight is the clear message that that President Trump is the clear frontrunner. He’s the winner in our Republican primary and it’s time for Nikki Haley to drop out and support him.”

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Asked if she was on Trump’s list of potential vice-presidential picks – as she previously told the Guardian she was – Greene said: “That’s the question everyone asked and no, I don’t think Nikki Haley should be on the list. But of course, President Trump will choose who he wants for VP.

“He’s got a long list. I serve President Trump in any way he’d ask me, but I can assure you it won’t be Nikki Haley.”

Maitlis then asked about Trump, Greene and conspiracy theories. Things went downhill from there.