Ukip leader Paul Nuttall accuses Labour of orchestrating a 'smear campaign' against him
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall accuses Labour of an “orchestrated smear campaign” against him.
Paul Nuttall: Give me time to sort out UKIP's mess
Mr Nuttall apologised in the run-up to the poll over a false claim that he lost close friends in the tragedy.
But he told the BBC One Andrew Marr Show that allegations that he was not at the stadium were untrue.
He said: “There was an orchestrated smear campaign which I knew was coming from December which was suggesting that I wasn’t actually at Hillsborough.”
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall accused Labour of an 'orchestrated smear campaign' against him
“Can I just put this on record because this is really important?”
There was an orchestrated smear campaign which I knew was coming from December
When asked who was behind the alleged smear campaign, he said: “There was an orchestrated campaign which I knew was coming which was done by a political party. I’ll leave it at that, okay?”
When asked if he was referring to the Labour Party, he said: “Yes. I am actually. Yes, I am, okay?
“I provided witness statements, I have given evidence to Operation Resolve and I’m prepared to stand in a witness stand in a court of law.”
Nuttall apologised over a false claim that he lost close friends in the Hillsborough tragedy
Mr Nuttall said people needed to get “perspective” on the issue.
The Ukip leader acknowledged that the experience of fighting the by-election had been bruising but insisted he was now more determined that ever to stay in his job.
Nuttall: "I've never been caught in a paedophile ring or anything"
Mr Nuttall said people needed to get 'perspective' on the issue
He said: “I have never thought I was the wrong guy.”
Ukip has descended into infighting after Nigel Farage called for the party’s only MP, Douglas Carswell, to be ousted as a row flares over claims the MP played a role in blocking a knighthood for the former leader.
Mr Nuttall said: “He has put it in writing, let’s see what happens. If it’s proven that Douglas lobbied for Nigel to get a knighthood... then I don’t see a problem.”