UKIP's deputy chairman has said her ex-boyfriend Roger Bird, currently under investigation for allegedly 'sexually harassing' another female candidate, was not abusing his position during their relationship.

Former Merton councillor Suzanne Evans, who defected from the Conservatives to UKIP in May last year, had a six-month relationship with Mr Bird which ended in the summer.

Mr Bird, who was seen snuggling up to Ms Evans at the local elections vote count in Mitcham in May, has strongly denied allegations of sexual harassment made by Natasha Bolter.

UKIP has suspended its general secretary pending an investigation into the claims.

Speaking to the Wimbledon Guardian yesterday Ms Evans said he could not possibly have abused his position in the party at the time of their relationship because he was not employed by UKIP, whereas she was already a senior party member.

But she said she could not comment on his relationship with Natasha Bolter.

She said: "It was quite some time ago. We had a six month relationship which ended in the summer and that's really all I can say.

"Claims are being investigated and we are waiting for a resolution on that. I don't even know what's being investigated."

Ms Evans, who is now running as a parliamentary candidate in Shrewsbury, has kept her house in Wimbledon since losing her seat in the local elections.

She vowed to maintain her connection to Merton after losing her Hillside ward seat in May to Conservative councillor Daniel Holden 342 votes to his 1,269.