Britain First leader Paul Golding faces an investigation over an alleged sexual assault
The leader of the far right group at the centre of the spat between Britain and the US is being investigated over an alleged sexual assault.
Paul Golding was questioned by Greater Manchester Police after he was accused of forcing himself on a woman at a hotel in Oldham in July this year.
His group have been thrown into the political spotlight after Donald Trump retweeted inflammatory messages by their deputy leader.
Golding, from south London, was in Greater Manchester in July after holding a controversial rally in Rochdale to protest about Asian sex gangs.
Golding – a former member of the EDL and British National Party – is accused of attacking a woman in the early hours of the following morning.
The alleged victim, 25, went to police two weeks later and made a complaint.
She told MailOnline she was initially encouraged not to report the allegations to the authorities. She said she has since received abuse online.
Golding’s group (pictured in London) held a rally in Rochdale on the day of the alleged attack
The Times reported she had kissed Golding on the day of the attack and had consensual relations with him at a later date.
Golding, 35, was interviewed last month, but released the same day pending investigation. Detectives are appealing to anyone with information.
He declined to comment on the allegations to MailOnline, but denied he was arrested.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: ‘On Thursday 7 September 2017, police received a report of a sexual assault which had happened on Saturday 22 July 2017 in Oldham.
‘A 25-year-old woman had been staying at a hotel on Grains bar. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances around this incident.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number 251348J/17.’
They said a 35-year-old man had been released pending investigation.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.