McConnell daughter's date with John Leslie on eve of Ulrika bombshell

The daughter of Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell, visited the Richmond home of John Leslie just two days before he was exposed in the media as the man at the centre of Ulrika Jonsson's rape claims.

Hannah McConnell, the 23-year-old daughter of Jack and Bridget McConnell, spent last Monday evening in Leslie's company, having met him a fortnight ago at a charity dinner in Scotland.

The meeting between the First Minister's daughter and Leslie had been known about at senior levels in Whitehall for a week, and the McConnell family, having already endured a year of political and personal pressure in the Scottish press, have, according to friends, "had this hanging over them" for longer.

As further details of Leslie's love life were played out in the tabloids, the McConnell family yesterday issued a terse statement confirming that the two had met twice. "Hannah McConnell and John Leslie met at an awards ceremony in Glasgow two weeks ago and saw each other once during the following week. They have not met again since," said a source close to the family.

According to family friends, Hannah McConnell, who works in Westminster for Falkirk East Labour MP Michael Connarty, met the TV personality at a charity dinner at Glasgow's Hilton hotel on October 12, more than a week before his name was linked to the Ulrika Jonsson rape allegations.

The pair later spoke on the phone and dated once. "The relationship did not go any further, and the McConnells were worried there might be an impression that there was a longer-term relationship," said a source close to the First Minister. According to friends of Hannah McConnell, she did not meet Leslie again because he was "obnoxious".

Last night the McConnells had moved Hannah out of her London flat to avoid further media intrusion. "Bridget and Hannah hope that by making the statement they can put the matter behind them," said a source.

The McConnells also have a son Mark, 18. The children, from Bridget McConnell's previous relationship, were formally adopted by Jack McConnell when they were aged 11 and seven. The First Minister and his wife have sought to keep both out of the media spotlight.

The secret rapes: Page 19 Muriel Gray: Seven Days

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