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Brexit Party speaks out on ‘risible’ claims chairman Richard Tice involved in Trump leaks

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The chairman of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party has been embroiled in the scandal which saw emails written by the UK’s ambassador to the US leaked. The “Trump files” saw Sir Kim Darroch accuse the US president’s administration of being “inept” and “dysfunctional”. The implications against chairman Richard Tice were made in The Mirror and The Sunday Times, claiming “Trump leak scandal engulfs Brexit Party”.

It emerged on Saturday night that Mr Tice is in a relationship with Isabel Oakeshott, the journalist who wrote the story which resulted in the resignation of Sir Darroch.

Ms Oakeshott, 45, is the former Sunday Times political editor who worked as a spokeswoman for the Brexit Party during their triumphant EU election campaign.

She has been in a relationship with Mr Tice, 54, since last year.

Mr Tice categorically denies any involvement or handling of the information, or any desire to take the ambassador job.

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He tweeted: “Conspiracy theorists who think I want US Ambassador job totally wrong. Ridiculous suggestion! But other senior pro Brexit businessperson would do great job promoting U.K. & securing quick trade deal. I’m 100% focussed on chairing @brexitparty_uk & likely Autumn election”

The Brexit Party echoed a similar sentiment.

A spokesman told Express.co.uk: “As party Chairman, Mr Tice has worked day and night to ensure that the Brexit Party first won the European election, with resounding success, and now to ensure that the party is fit to challenge the legacy parties.

“The idea that he covets a job on the other side of the Atlantic is risible.”

He added: “He and the entire party are focussed on ensuring that Brexit is delivered on Oct 31 and that Brexit Britain is the best it can be for all who live here.”

Ms Oakeshott has also sought to distance her partner from the scandal.

She said: “Richard had nothing to do with the cables.

“He has never seen them, never handled them and was not involved in acquiring them.”

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The Sunday Times reported that Mr Tice did not deny that he had discussed the emails with his partner, saying: “I’m not going to get into details about personal, private conversation.

“I knew about it at the same time as the Foreign Office.”

A friend of the couple said: “It is no secret at Westminster that Isabel and Richard are in a relationship.

“No doubt this will fuel conspiracy theories, but [Mr Tice] categorically was not involved in obtaining or handling the information, nor has he seen it.”

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