The wife of the Republican candidate in a key US Senate election has rejected accusations he is antisemitic – because he has a Jewish lawyer.

Kayla Moore made the remark during a rally for her husband Roy in the southern state of Alabama, where her husband Roy is standing in a special election on Tuesday.

“Fake news would tell you that we don't care for Jews,” Mrs Moore told the audience.

“And I tell you all this because I've seen it and I just want to set the record straight while they're here.

“One of our attorneys is a Jew. We have very close friends that are Jewish, and rabbis, and we also fellowship with them.”

Her comments come after her husband attacked George Soros, the liberal Jewish philanthropist, by suggesting he would go to hell.

Mr Moore said Mr Soros “is going to the same place that people who don't recognize God and morality and accept his salvation are going. And that's not a good place.”

Mr Moore lost favour among his fellow Republicans after allegations of sexual misconduct against teenage girls were published last month.

Opinion polls suggest a tight race with his Democrat rival Doug Jones. The election was triggered after Jeff Sessions resigned the seat in order to become Donald Trump's attorney-general.