Length of John Edwards' affair disputed

NEW YORK, May 7 (UPI) -- Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' affair with Rielle Hunter was not a solitary encounter, a friend of Hunter says.

Inside Edition reported exclusively Wednesday that Pigeon O'Brien, described as a close friend of Hunter, said she believes Edwards, who also served as a U.S. senator from North Carolina and was the 2004 vice presidential candidate, had a lengthy affair.

"Rielle isn't a girl who would have a one night stand … ," O'Brien is quoted as saying. "I believe the affair lasted longer than a year."

That contradicts what Edwards' wife Elizabeth recent statement that he had only strayed once, Inside Edition said.

O'Brien goes on to say she thinks Edwards has not come clean with his wife.

"Some of the things he's said have contradicted truths that I know … . I know he's not telling the truth," she said.

O'Brien also told Inside Edition she believes Edwards is the father of Hunter's daughter Francis Quinn. Edwards has admitted the 2006 affair but denied the child is his.

"I know the relationship they were in around the time of conception, and the baby looks exactly like him," she said.