Nigel Farage has denied suggestions that he had an affair with a Maltese tourism executive after pictures emerged of the pair "hand-in-hand" after a night out.
The Ukip leader claims he is the victim of “abhorrent mischief making” after he was seen with Ande Soteri as he entered his hotel in the early hour of this morning during a trip to Malta where he was giving a speech at a gala dinner.
Today the Daily Mirror printed the photographs in a story headlined: “So did UKIP alone Nigel?” and included suggestions that dinner guests were “gossiping” that the pair had left the party together.
“Good god no,” said Mr Farage when approached about the allegations.
“I had never even met her before yesterday – completely innocent.”
Upon asking whether or not he had slept with the woman, who is commercial director of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, he gave a firm “no”.
"What an impertinent question. No," he said, before adding that he had been helping Soteri, who appeared to be using crutches at the time, as she was having difficulty walking.
"I did not help her back to her room," he said.
"I helped her into the lift. That was it. We were not alone. There were other people in the lift."
Farage's wife, Kirsten, gave a "no comment" earlier today.
