The White House on Monday refused to be drawn into a fierce row involving the top Senate Democrat Harry Reid, branded a “dirty liar” by Republicans for his accusations about Mitt Romney’s tax record.

Senate Majority leader Reid claimed last week that a secret source had told him that the wealthy presumptive Republican presidential nominee had not paid any taxes at all for a decade.

“You can talk to Senator Reid, I’m sure (he) will address this issue if you ask him. He certainly speaks for himself,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said, when peppered by questions about the majority leader’s attack.

Carney would not be drawn into answering questions about Reid’s tactics as Republicans claim the Nevada senator is throwing around wild accusations with no evidence. He did not specifically condemn Reid’s approach however.