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George HW Bush apologises after actor accuses him of sexual assault from his wheelchair | George HW Bush apologises after actor accuses him of sexual assault from his wheelchair |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Former US President George HW Bush has apologised after an actress accused him of sexually assaulting her from his wheelchair. | Former US President George HW Bush has apologised after an actress accused him of sexually assaulting her from his wheelchair. |
Heather Lind, who starred in US drama Turn: Washington’s Spies, made the allegations against the 93-year-old in a now-deleted Instagram post. | Heather Lind, who starred in US drama Turn: Washington’s Spies, made the allegations against the 93-year-old in a now-deleted Instagram post. |
“When I got the chance to meet George HW Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo,” she wrote. | “When I got the chance to meet George HW Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo,” she wrote. |
“He didn't shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke. And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again. | |
“Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say ‘not again.’ His security guard told me I shouldn’t have stood next to him for the photo.” | “Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say ‘not again.’ His security guard told me I shouldn’t have stood next to him for the photo.” |
Ms Lind met the 41st President during a special screening of her TV show in 2014, a week before its official release. | Ms Lind met the 41st President during a special screening of her TV show in 2014, a week before its official release. |
“We were instructed to call him Mr President. It seems to me a President’s power is in his or her capacity to enact positive change, actually help people, and serve as a symbol of our democracy. | “We were instructed to call him Mr President. It seems to me a President’s power is in his or her capacity to enact positive change, actually help people, and serve as a symbol of our democracy. |
“He relinquished that power when he used it against me and, judging from the comments of those around him, countless other women before me. | “He relinquished that power when he used it against me and, judging from the comments of those around him, countless other women before me. |
“What comforts me is that I too can use my power, which isn’t so different from a President really. | “What comforts me is that I too can use my power, which isn’t so different from a President really. |
“I can enact positive change. I can actually help people. I can be a symbol of my democracy. I can refuse to call him President, and call out other abuses of power when I see them. I can vote for a President, in part, by the nature of his or her character, knowing that his or her political decisions must necessarily stem from that character.” | “I can enact positive change. I can actually help people. I can be a symbol of my democracy. I can refuse to call him President, and call out other abuses of power when I see them. I can vote for a President, in part, by the nature of his or her character, knowing that his or her political decisions must necessarily stem from that character.” |
Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for President Bush said: “President Bush would never – under any circumstance – intentionally cause anyone distress, and he most sincerely apologises if his attempt at humour offended Ms Lind.” | |
Ms Lind said she had decided to speak out about the alleged sexual assault following the “bravery” of other women in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. | Ms Lind said she had decided to speak out about the alleged sexual assault following the “bravery” of other women in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. |
The 34-year-old said she had been left “disturbed” at seeing Barack Obama pictured with the single term President at a fundraiser for hurricane victims in Texas. | The 34-year-old said she had been left “disturbed” at seeing Barack Obama pictured with the single term President at a fundraiser for hurricane victims in Texas. |
“I thank President Barack Obama for the gesture of respect he made toward George HW Bush for the sake of our country, but I do not respect him,” she said. | “I thank President Barack Obama for the gesture of respect he made toward George HW Bush for the sake of our country, but I do not respect him,” she said. |
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