Former Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik has been left heartbroken after his ex-girlfriend moved back to Bulgaria with the couple's child.

He spent Christmas alone in his London flat after Sabina Vankova, 33, left the UK following a row over the politician's close friendship with former wag Alex Best.

She had accused the pair of spending a night together and dramatically announced the end of their romance on Twitter in November. Opik, 53, strongly denies that any inappropriate relations took place between he and Alex.

He travels to the Bulgarian capital Sofia as often as possible 'for a day or two' to see his seven-month old daughter Angelina but says he wants his family to be 'together not apart'.

He told MailOnline: 'I don't resent her being there, I just miss them terribly. It's extremely upsetting and I had a dreadful Christmas and New Year on my own in my flat.'

He spent Christmas alone in his London flat after Sabina Vankova, 33, (pictured left) fled the UK following a row over the politician's close friendship with former wag Alex Best (pictured right)

The BBC radio presenter continued: 'I expect she'll return. I think about it every day, all the time. I'd like her to come back to the UK this afternoon.

'Sabina's turned out to be a great mum in many ways but I want to be part of the child's upbringing and it's crushingly distressing that I can't go there every day.

'Sabina is a strong-minded lady and has many great qualities - she wants to do what's best for the child and I respect that.

'I don't for a second regret having a baby with her - but I feel upset by the distance between her and rest of the family.

'A child needs two parents, not just one and I'm sure Sabina will agree with that.

'It wouldn't be a problem if Bulgaria was a London borough but it takes about four hours to get there - it's not just round the corner.

'I can only spend a couple of days because I've got to work to support the child.

Opik's relationship with Bulgarian national Sabina has been shrouded in drama from the outset - with her waters breaking during a meal in a Turkish restaurant.

Opik, pictured, travels to the Bulgarian capital Sofia as often as possible 'for a day or two' to see his seven-month old daughter Angelina but says he wants his family to be 'together not apart'

The couple 'left a spectacular mess' and hailed a cab to a London hospital in June last year - but had to endure a gruelling 29-hour labour before their daughter was finally delivered by Cesarean Section.

Opik joked at the time: 'Based on what I saw [the baby being delivered by Cesarean], I'd say the best way to describe it is like the most famous scene in the film Alien.'

The presenter met Miss Vankova at a political party to celebrate Tim Farron's appointment as Lib Dem leader. Miss Vankova was there as a supporter and voted for Farron.

The ex-MP for Montgomeryshire in Wales said she 'seemed very intelligent' and was impressed she was a qualified lawyer - adding they had 'natural chemistry'.

They spent the night together and Sabina admitted she did not know who Opik was until she Googled him the next day - and moved in with him six weeks later.

The pair had started trying for a baby in June 2016 and she became pregnant in September.

Following her pregnancy, Miss Vankova had hoped the couple will get married in the near future.