Tory election guru Lynton Crosby has denied talking to David Cameron about plain packaging on cigarettes.
Mr Crosby spoke out after a row erupted over Mr Cameron's announcement earlier this month that he was putting plans for standard packages on ice.
The Australian election stategist's role was questioned when it emerged that he was being paid by the Philip Morris tobacco firm as well as the Conservative Party.
Mr Crosby, who was brought in to boost Tory chances of victory in 2015, has now categorically denied having any talks with the Prime Minister about the issue.
In his first comments on the affair, made in a statement issued by his company, CTF partners, the adviser rejected any suggestion that he had exploited his position.
"The Prime Minister has repeatedly and clearly said that I have never lobbied him on anything, including on the issue of tobacco or plain packaging of cigarettes," he said.
"What the PM said should be enough for any ordinary person but to avoid any doubt or speculation let me be clear.
David Cameron insists he made the decision about packaging alone "At no time have I had any conversation or discussion with or lobbied the Prime Minister, or indeed the Health Secretary or the health minister, on plain packaging or tobacco issues.
"Indeed, any claim that I have sought to improperly use my position as part-time campaign adviser to the Conservative Party is simply false."
The statement came hours after Labour leader Ed Miliband attacked Mr Cameron again over the relationship, accusing him of "weasel words" and "evasion".
He claimed the Prime Minister had brought "big tobacco to the heart of Downing Street" by hiring the polls expert shortly before ditching his plans on cigarettes.
Mr Cameron has insisted that Mr Crosby had "no impact or influence" on Government policy and says he alone decided not to go ahead with the measures.
It was announced on July 12 that plain packages in England would not happen until ministers had had a chance to assess a similar scheme in Australia.
Health campaigners called the move "bewildering" but some Tory MPs who oppose a "nanny state" on public health welcomed the change of heart.
Experts argue the packs could help save thousands of lives by cutting the number of young people taking up cigarettes.
Australia became the first country in the world to take such a step when it introduced the measures last December.
Cigarette packs and other tobacco products are now all sold in standard brown packets with only the brand name and graphic warnings visible.
A study of the early impact of the changes showed tobacco sold in standardised packaging is considered "less appealing" and makes smokers "prioritise quitting".
Labour's vice chair Michael Dugher MP called the statement "baffling" and claimed it raised more questions than it answered.
"David Cameron has refused to deny that he has had a conversation with Lynton Crosby about tobacco policy on at least 16 occasions. If Lynton Crosby is telling the truth, why on earth couldn't David Cameron say this himself?," he asked.
He added: "It's striking that while Lynton Crosby has specifically denied discussing tobacco with the Prime Minister, he has said nothing about alcohol policy, or any of the other policy areas where his reported clients have interests.
"In the interests of transparency, Lynton Crosby needs to disclose his company's full client list right now."
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