Nigel Farage faced an awkward discussion with his wife last night after he was accused in the European Parliament of having an affair with a Ukip spin doctor.
On Wednesday party spokeswoman Annabelle Fuller hit out at "false" allegations that she had an affair with Farage. Last night, Farage's wife told the Daily Mail: "Nigel’s just on his way back from Strasbourg and we will be discussing it tonight, I’m sure. I don’t want to comment today."
Fuller complained of being "hounded" after an MEP challenged Farage on the rumours in the European Parliament.
Nikki Sinclaire, who left the party after a row with Farage, said during a plenary session this morning: "With unemployment still a problem across Europe and indeed across the UK, does Mr Farage think it is a fair use of taxpayers' money, namely his secretarial allowance, not only to employ his wife Kirsten but his former mistress Annabelle Fuller? Is this a responsible use of taxpayers' money, Mr Farage?"
Farage responded: "I don't want to answer that at all, thank you."
Nigel Farage speaks at a UKIP meeting in Windsor with Annabelle Fuller to the right
In a statement yesterday, Fuller said: "I have been continually hounded by the press with these false allegations since 2006 including having journalists camp outside my house.
"It's a shame that as a woman I am considered fair game for accusations of alleged affairs. It's hard enough being a woman in politics without having to justify why I am employed.
"It is safe to say that this would not have happened if I was a man. Surely this is something that Nikki Sinclaire should have considered."
Fuller worked for Ukip for many years before leaving for a stint as a public relations consultant, and has now returned as a spin doctor for the party.
Farage is understood to have denied allegations of an affair with Fuller in the past. A Ukip spokesman said: "The comments by Sinclaire are beneath contempt, and that person has abused parliamentary privilege to do so.
"Sinclaire has been saying the same thing to anyone who would listen since 2006. Regarding Miss Fuller, Mr Farage has been asked about this before and the answer has always been No, it is absolute rubbish."