Evidence that dozens of women were groomed into online sex work by members of influencer Andrew Tate’s “War Room” group has been uncovered by the BBC.

Leaked internal chat logs identify 45 potential victims between March 2019 and April 2020 but the total number is likely to be higher.

The texts also appear to show the techniques used by War Room members to exploit possible victims.

Mr Tate denies any wrongdoing and says he is prepared to defend his innocence.

Warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing

A statement issued by his press officer said the BBC’s findings represent “another brazen attempt to present one-sided, unverified” allegations against him.

The 36-year-old former kickboxer has been charged in Romania with rape and human trafficking.

On 4 August he was released from house arrest pending his trial. Last week details of graphic evidence compiled by Romanian prosecutors were revealed by the BBC.

His brother Tristan and two associates also face charges. All have denied the allegations.

The BBC’s latest investigation – outlined in the documentary Andrew Tate: The Man Who Groomed the World? – centres on 12,000 pages of encrypted Telegram messages sent by hundreds of War Room members.

However the BBC’s access to the logs was limited to those sent over a period of 13 months – so the total number of women possibly targeted and exploited by the group, which was formed in 2019, could be much higher.