Mutya Buena: 'Sugababes are snakes'

Mutya Buena has criticised Sugababes members Amelle Berrabah and Heidi Range for their role in the recent lineup change.

Buena, who left the group in 2005, said that the pair should have been more loyal to Keisha Buchanan, who was asked to leave the band last week.

According to the Daily Star, she said: "It's just so wrong. I phoned Keisha as soon as I heard what had happened.

"She is my friend. We grew up together. And it's all been so harsh on her. She's been really upset. But do you know what? She'll pick herself up and realise that she is best off out of it.

"If the people you work with don't show you the respect you deserve then you shouldn't work with them. The music industry is full of snakes and sharks and Keisha had to work with two of the biggest snakes."

Buena added that Range should have "backed" Buchanan and said that the band might also decide to get rid of new member Jade Ewen.

"Yeah, she's a pretty girl, but that's about it," she said. "The thing about her is she doesn't say much. You never know what she is really thinking."

Meanwhile, referring to claims that Berrabah was "bullied" by Buchanan, Buena said: "She's no victim. All this talk about her being bullied is just rubbish.

"Trust me, she is a tough girl who's always running her mouth."

Buena recently said that the group should not be called the Sugababes as there are no original members left, and claimed that Ewen may end up fronting the band.