Update 2.57pm: Nigel Farage has branded allegations he had a series of secret meetings with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange 'conspiratorial nonsense'. Earlier 2.07pm: US lawmakers hear of alleged meetings between Farage and AssangeNigel Farage is alleged to have had a series of secret meetings with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, according to evidence given to a US congressional inquiry. He said that Mr Farage became "someone that we were very interested in" after the EU referendum vote in June 2016. Mr Farage campaigned openly for Mr Trump in the election and was one of the first visitors to meet him in Trump Tower following his victory. Mr Trump responded by suggesting that Mr Farage should be appointed UK ambassador to the US - much to the consternation of British diplomats.

Source: Evening echo January 19, 2018 13:18 UTC