Former Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt. File picture by Bill Smyth

A PICTURE has emerged of former Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt lying on the floor of a Belfast hotel while a woman sits on him and another holds him by the collar following a dispute.

The Sun reported that the politician had been out with friends last month when he became involved in a row with two hotel guests.

The picture shows one woman sitting on Mr Nesbitt's legs.

The 59-year-old, the UUP's candidate for Strangford in next month's General Election, told The Sun: "I went to the hotel with three friends".

He said "things happened" but declined to elaborate.

"I don't want to say any more," he said.

"When you have a profile and you go out in public, you can't expect people to fully respect your privacy."

Mr Nesbitt resigned as UUP leader following its poor performance in March's Assembly election.

An Ulster Unionist spokesman said the party had "no comment to make" on the picture.