Mining billionaire Clive Palmer has accused WA Premier Mark McGowan of labelling him the “equivalent to a drug dealer” over the United Australia Party leader’s purchase of hydroxychloroquine, and attempting to use him as a scapegoat before the state election.

Under questioning from his barrister in the Federal Court in Sydney on Wednesday, Mr Palmer said: “I couldn’t believe it, I was worried this might mean some ramifications for us because I had some large investments in Western Australia.