Nigel Farage denies being an alcoholic

The Ukip leader claims ‘it is the working hours that kill me – not the boozing’

Nigel Farage: 'I am a boozer, not an alcoholic' (AFP/Getty)

Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader who is frequently photographed in front of a pub, pint in hand, has said he is “not an alcoholic”.

The politician, who revealed his “unpredictable” New Year’s resolution for 2015 was to do 'Dry January', told The Telegraph that he is a “drinker, often quite a steady one,” but added he is “a boozer, not an alcoholic”.

“It is the working hours that kill me – not the boozing and it is going to be a busy 122 days [until the election],” he told the newspaper.

He said his decision not to drink beer in January was “completely impromptu” but that he would be resuming his alcohol consumption after the end of the month.

Farage revealed his plans to cut out alcohol for the first month of 2015 in a column for The Independent, and said: “Next time you catch me on the campaign trail in a pub, I shall have a glass of orange juice in my hand. How’s that for unpredictable?”