Former Tory minister Neil Hamilton and his wife Christine were last night released without charge after being arrested in connection with an allegation of serious sexual assault.
The couple's solicitor said they vehemently denied allegations that they were present and had committed indecent acts while a rape was being committed.
The Hamiltons, who left Barkingside police station in east London just after 8 p.m, told reporters the allegations were "monstrous".
The couple, who were accompanied by their lawyer and television presenter Louis Theroux, stopped briefly to address reporters.
Mr Hamilton (52) said he and his wife denied the allegations. Mrs Hamilton (51) said: "It is an absolutely monstrous fabrication and a lie." Lawyer Michael Coleman made a lengthy statement outlining the allegations made against the couple, the details of which he said were "horrific".
Mr Coleman told reporters that they had been arrested by arrangement with the police. He said: "An accusation has been made against them that they took part in a rape and indecent assault in Ilford on Saturday May 4th.
"They have co-operated entirely with the police and have supplied the police with details and information as to where they were that day. They have also given the police total access to all their private affairs, their telephone records, their credit card records and such like in order that the police can fully investigate this allegation which has been made against them.
"No charges have been made against any person and certainly no charges have been made against either Mr or Mrs Hamilton." Mr Coleman said that during the police interview the name of publicist Max Clifford had been mentioned to his clients.
He told reporters: "One point which came out during the course of their interviews, which is probably appropriate for you to know, is that the police raised the name Max Clifford.
"The purpose of the police raising that name we do not know but it is a matter obviously that the police may wish to enlarge upon at some later stage."
Mrs Hamilton smiled as she said: "I am very happy to stand next to my husband." She added: "One of the allegations is that we are seeking a divorce.
Responding to the Hamiltons' comments, publicist Max Clifford told Sky News he had had contact with the woman making the allegations.
"I asked her: 'Have you any proof of these allegations?' She said she had.
She was going away to get proof of these allegations. In between our second meeting and the first time she contacted me is when the alleged serious sexual assault had taken place.
"So when she contacted me she told me this had happened. I then said, 'Well you've then got to go to the police' and she went to the police."