A UKIP leadership candidate has contacted the police after pictures of his prescribed Viagra tablets were apparently posted on social media.
Bill Etheridge has hit out at "spiteful" elements in the party's leadership race to replace Nigel Farage for allegedly seeking to capitalise on the now-deleted post by a former girlfriend.
The picture was reportedly accompanied by a tweet questioning Mr Etheridge's suitability for the top job.
The West Midlands MEP said posting a picture of the erectile dysfunction medication represented a "serious breach" of his privacy and as a result he had referred the matter to the police.
Mr Etheridge said: "It is always sad when a relationship breaks down, but I really don't see how this has any bearing on my ability to lead Ukip moving forward.
"And I think it smacks of desperation that certain people within the leadership campaign have tried to use this vengeful post as a weapon.
"To me they are grasping at straws, as they know they are losing the debate where it matters.
"This is especially hurtful as some of the claims made in the original social media post are grossly inaccurate.
"At the end of the day, this is a very personal issue and the posting of this on social media is in my opinion a serious breach of my privacy. That is why I have reported this matter to the police.
"However, if my experience does help to raise awareness and help make normative a treatment for this serious men's health issue, then I'm happy to speak out."
Mr Etheridge said he would tackle the issue during a Ukip leadership hustings event in Belfast on Tuesday evening.
