Nigel Farage's wife 'is paid with public money', it is revealed, despite denial on show with Googlebox's Steph and Dom

While his appearance on Steph and Dom Meet Nigel Farage may be considered something of a privileged platform for a politician, the Ukip leader did not emerge from the encounter without facing at least a few awkward questions.

Among the drinks and questions from the couple from Gogglebox on Europe, immigration and ambition, Mr Farage was also faced with the query over whether his wife Kirsten was working for him.

While she used to work as his secretary, new EU rules brought in earlier this year banned employing family members.

His response on the Channel 4 programme last night that "She is no longer paid by the public sector" appeared perfectly clear – particularly when he added that her wage now came from "The Party".

Ukip however has now confirmed that Mrs Farage, who is listed as a local assistant to Ukip MEP Ray Finch on the European Parliament website, does still receive public money.

A Ukip spokesman told The Independent that she receives £800 a month for her role in Mr Finch's office.

According to The Spectator's Steerpike blog, the party has also confirmed she is paid for her role helping out in the South East office.

The spokesman told The Independent however that Mr Farage had not been misleading as at the time of filming, his wife was being paid by the party and he was unaware that she had made the arrangement with Mr Finch.

Mr Farage's appearance on the Channel 4 programme came hot on the heels of his much-talked about "battle" with Russell Brand on Question Time last week.

Writing for The Independent the following day, Mr Farage accused the campaigner of being a "chest-hair obsessed Hollywood type".

Meanwhile, it has been reported today that Ukip is set to secure control of a £1.5m pot of European taxpayers' cash by forming a new political party – a move which has triggered a fresh internal row.

The funding follows the formation of the Ukip-dominated pan-European political party, the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE).

Those within the party in favour of taking the money have said if the Eurosceptic party did not take it, "integrationist organisations" promoting ever-close union would pick it up.

But Ukip MEP Gerard Batten said there had been no consultation with members and "I think the feeling among the activists is that they won't be in favour of it."

A Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy spokesman said: "The NEC has given UKIP MEPs the choice to join or not a pan - European party and 22 of them have chosen to do so.

"This funding from the European Parliament will help Eurosceptic MEPs get their message in defence of national democracy out across Europe . It will also bring them onto a more equal footing with Federalist parties.

"We are happy to cooperate with other democratic parties across Europe to counter the wall of taxpayer-funded EU propaganda."