THE former wife of a Southampton businessman charged with kidnapping and murdering a six-year-old girl in the Philippines insists he is an innocent man.

Drena Griffiths separated from Ian Griffiths 13 years ago but claims he has nothing to hide and “the truth will be revealed very soon”.

Police were hunting Mr Griffiths after he allegedly snatched the little girl from the street as she left her school in the Philippine island of Cebu. She was later found dead at the bottom of a cliff.

British police arrested him last Friday morning under section nine of the Offences Against A Person Act.

Detectives are probing allegations that the abducted girl was to be exploited as part of an online sex operation.

But Mrs Griffiths, speaking from her £200,000 three-bedroom terrace house in Portswood, Southampton, with their son Sam by her side, said her ex-husband had been in touch and protested his innocence.

Dressed in a cream cardigan and blue jeans, she said: “This is a very hard time and I know that Ian is innocent.

“I have spoken with him recently as we are still on very good terms and the truth will be revealed very soon.

“There is no way he would have done what he is accused of.”

Sam, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans, said: “I’ve got no comment to make.”

Drena is believed to be in her mid-50s and Sam in his late- 20s.

Police in London arrested Mr Griffiths in response to claims by authorities in the Philippines that he took Ellah Joy Pique off a street with the help of his girlfriend Bella Santos.

Later that day, on February 8 this year, Ellah’s body was found at the foot of a cliff.

That same day police chiefs allege Mr Griffiths left the island on a flight bound for Hong Kong.

Mr Griffiths, who lives in Highfield, then became a wanted man after Philippine officials charged him with the murder and kidnap of Ellah in his absence. They issued a warrant for his arrest.

But the search quickly turned to Southampton when Metropolitan Police officers raided two addresses in the city in the hunt for clues about Mr Griffiths.

One of these properties was his flat in Glebe Court. His business Glebe Court Consulting is listed at this address.

Mr Griffiths was not available for comment at that address last night.