Hamiltons reject police 'lies'

Neil Hamilton rejected the "lies" in newspaper reports

Neil Hamilton has accused Scotland Yard of conducting a "campaign of disinformation" against him and his wife.

He said deliberate lies were being spread over allegations that he and his wife Christine were involved in a sexual assault on a woman in May.

Newspaper reports have suggested that, prior to the couple's arrest, Mr Hamilton was approached twice by officers to give his side of the story.

But the former Tory minister said on Tuesday: "I have read today in the papers stories, which are supposed to come from Scotland Yard sources, that are deliberate lies.

Whoever had been responsible for this should be called to account for the campaign of disinformation

Neil Hamilton

"In particular, I want to deny allegations that there ever was an option for us to present ourselves to a police station."

He added that whoever was responsible for the allegations in the papers "should be called to account for the campaign of disinformation".

Mr Hamilton, 52, was speaking as he appeared with his wife Christine outside their home in Nether Alderley, Cheshire.

He said he had first become aware of the sex assault allegations against the couple on 17 July, when police contacted his solicitor.

"He was told the police had enough evidence to arrest me on charges of sexual assault and to arrest Christine as well.

"We did have a choice. We could either present ourselves at a police station or they could come to our house and make a forcible arrest and drag us to the police station."

'Telephone evidence'

Mr Hamilton said information showing his whereabouts at the time of the alleged assault had been withheld by police.

Christine Hamilton: Faith in police "shaken"

He added that he would issue a writ unless police returned at least one of his computers, which were seized as part of the investigation.

On Monday, the Hamilton's solicitor said evidence presented to police showed that the couple could not have been at the scene of the alleged attack in Ilford, Essex, on 5 May - the day of the incident.

Michael Coleman told Sky News the evidence included details of the Hamiltons' telephone and credit card use.

On Tuesday, Mr Hamilton said: "I think by tomorrow I will be able to present to police a complete picture of our movements and it will be clear that I could not possibly have been in Ilford."

He added that he felt sorry for the alleged victim if she had been subjected to a sexual assault.

"I have every sympathy for her if that was the case, but all I know is that I had nothing to do with it."

Mrs Hamilton, 51, said the whole episode had shaken her confidence in the police.

"I think the way this case has been handled is going to do enormous damage to the reputation of the police force," she said.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said the force had no comment to make on Mr Hamilton's accusations.