He's not denying the payouts exactly, and in total. He's saying he didn't "personally" receive them. Depends on what "personally" means.
A few days ago, when he was wobbly, he "conceded" that "third parties" might have got the money intended for his charities...which aren't charities...because they're political orgs, and don't have to declare their books in UK apparently like charities...which would surprise a lot of donors since I assume they thought giving money for medical care for Iraqi children is, well, the work of a charity.