London, Sept 25 : Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has dismissed claims that she had an affair with her husband Todd’s business partner.

According to the National Enquirer, Palin had an affair with Todd’s snowmobile dealership partner Brad Hanson, reports the Sun.

However, the Alaska governor has furiously denied claims that she cheated on Todd, dubbed the First Dude, in 1996.

The National Enquirer said that the affair took place when Palin was mayor of hometown Wasilla and started because she was ‘lonely’ while Todd was away working on oilfields.

And the fling ended when Palin, 44, confessed to furious Todd, according to the magazine.

Now, Republican John McCain’s campaign has threatened legal action over the ‘vicious lie’.

The magazine quoted convicted thief Jim Burdett, a relative of Hanson’s wife, and said to have passed a lie detector test.

However, Hanson, 46, said: “I never had an affair of any kind with Sarah Palin. Todd and I are friends.”

The story has reportedly been spread by Palin’s political rivals.

McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt said: “The smearing of the Palins must end.” (ANI)