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A blundering UKIP candidate apologised after accusing a Liverpool Lib Dem candidate of deliberately catching HIV.

Patricia Culligan, standing in the crunch marginal constituency of Eastleigh, Hampshire, suggested Paul Childs chose to get infected after the Liverpool Riverside candidate, bravely spoke out about his diagnosis earlier this week.

The 34-year-old air steward revealed he had been living with the condition for three years, saying he had been “disgusted” by comments made by UKIP leader Nigel Farage about HIV during the leaders debate last week.

Ms Culligan tweeted a link to an online news report about Mr Childs, adding: “2nd Lib Dem candidate reveals he deliberately became HIV positive yet free NHS care v costly.”

Her remarks sparked uproar as there is no suggestion Mr Childs set out to get infected, and because Ms Culligan highlighted the expense of caring for sufferers.

She later tweeted: “I sincerely apologise for any totally unintended offence due to a mis-reading of the... article. I have nothing but sympathy 4 sufferers.”

Mr Childs, from Mossley Hill, found out he had the condition when he went for a routine test in 2011 after starting a relationship with another man.

He was told HIV is a manageable chronic condition and now keeps his HIV under control with medication.

Mr Childs hit back at MS Culligan today, accusing her of being “completely ignorant”.

He said: “It’s completely ignorant. How can she represent HIV positive people in Eastleigh making comments like that?

“I don’t accept her apology because it shows her ignorance and I think it’s a bit of an empty apology

“She only apologised when then BBC approached her and the party forced her to apologise.

“It took her more than 24 hours to retract what she had said.”

Nigel Farage was roundly criticised last week for being insensitive in his remarks on HIV.

In the televised debate, he said: “You can come into Britain, from anywhere in the world, get diagnosed with HIV and get the retroviral drugs which cost up to £25,000 per year, per patient. We need to put the National Health Service there for British people and families.”

Mr Childs said he had been overwhelmed by support since revealing his condition, including from opposition rivals.

He added: “I’ve had some really, really nice comments on Facebook and personal emails.

“I sat in on the council meeting and had some really nice comments from the Labour opposition.

“UKIP are the only people that don’t seem to understand.”