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Bush's brother denies extramarital affairs
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JEB Bush, the brother of President Bush, denied on Monday that he was having an affair with a colleague who is a former Playboy bunny, as speculation mounted that gossip could prompt him to step down next year as governor of Florida.
Rumours that he was having an affair with Miss Henderson, 38, who is known as Cyndi, surfaced on Internet sites before being referred to obliquely in the local media. Last Friday Bush decided to telephone local reporters and deny "off the record" that he had an improper relationship with Miss Henderson.
As head of Florida's business and professional regulation department, Miss Henderson was criticized for flying to the Kentucky Derby in a corporate jet and staying in expensive hotel suites.
Political opponents said she should have been sacked and were infuriated when Bush appointed her to the management services department instead.
"I cannot tell you how hurtful this is," Bush said with his voice shaking. "I love my wife. There is nothing to this rumour. It is an outright lie. Lies were spread by gossip. "
Jeb Bush, 48, has three children and has been married to his Mexican-born wife, Columba, for 27 years. He said that he would decide next month whether to stand for re-election in 2002 after talking the matter through with his family.
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