A Jewish lawyer who once worked for Roy Moore and was touted by his campaign as proof he could therefore not be antisemitic, has revealed that he is a long-time friend of the former judge’s victorious opponent and voted for him.

In the days before last month’s special election for a vacant senate seat for Alabama, Mr Moore, a conservative evangelical Christian, was accused of making antisemitic comments.

To try and counter the claims, Mr Moore’s wife, Kayla, who had been an outspoken defender of her husband after he was accused of sexually abusing young girls and women - claims he stridently denied - said one of their legal acquaintances was Jewish.

“Fake news will tell you that we don’t care for Jews. I tell you all this because I’ve seen it also I just want to set the record straight while they’re here,” she told supporters at a rally on the eve of voting. “One of our attorneys is a Jew.”

Roy Moore's wife claims he can't be antisemitic because 'one of our attorneys is a Jew'

But that lawyer, Richard Jaffe, who once apparently did some work for Republican Mr Moore’s son, has now reportedly revealed he is a long time friend of Mr Moore’s opponent, Doug Jones, and voted for him in the election that the Democrat won - the first to win a senate seat in Alabama for 25 years.

Mr Jaffe told the Washington Examiner he has been friends with Mr Jones for over 30 years and both raised and donated money to his campaign.

Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Show all 12 1 /12 Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones speaks to reporters after voting Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore (L) and his wife Kayla ride their horses to the polling station to vote AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones David Watson waves in a Santa suit as he holds a Doug Jones sign AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks to the media as his wife Kayla (R) looks on AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones casts his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Roy Moore speaks to the media after he rode in on a horse to vote AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic candidate Doug Jones greets supporters after casting his ballot AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore departs on horseback after he cast his ballot in Gallant REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters wait in line to cast their ballot at a polling station setup in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Senatorial candidate Doug Jones (L) greets voters outside of a polling station at the Bessemer Civic Center Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the Fire Department Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones speaks with the media after casting his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church Reuters

“There could not be a more passionate supporter of Doug than me,” he said.

The newspaper reported that he represented Mr Moore’s son Caleb in 2016. Mr Jaffe could not be immediately reached for comment.

Claims that Mr Moore, who was supported by Donald Trump’s former top strategist, Steve Bannon, was antisemitic increased after he suggested billionaire and Democratic donor George Soros, who is Jewish, was going to hell.