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US senator Al Franken apologises after grope allegation US senator Al Franken apologises after grope allegation
(about 7 hours later)
US Senator Al Franken has responded to a woman's allegations that he groped her as she slept and "forcibly" kissed her in a rehearsal for a comedy skit. US Senator Al Franken has apologised to a woman who alleged that he groped her as she slept and "forcibly" kissed her in a rehearsal for a comedy skit.
Leeann Tweeden says the two incidents happened in December 2006 on a tour to entertain US troops overseas, before Mr Franken entered politics. Radio host Leeann Tweeden says both incidents happened in 2006 when she and Mr Franken, who was then a comedian, were on a tour for US troops overseas.
The radio host wrote that the former comic "aggressively" kissed her while saying they had to rehearse a scene. He "aggressively" kissed her while they rehearsed a scene, she wrote.
Mr Franken, a former Saturday Night Live writer, apologised for the grope. Mr Franken apologised for his actions, but said he had a different recollection of the kissing incident.
But the Minnesota Democrat said he has a different recollection of the other incident. "I certainly don't remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann," the Minnesota Democrat said in a statement.
"I certainly don't remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann," he said in a statement.
"As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it.""As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it."
Mr Franken issued a second, longer statement less than two hours later after a ferocious backlash from critics who accused him of a non-apology and demanded his resignation. Mr Franken later issued a second, longer statement following a ferocious backlash from critics who accused him of a non-apology and demanded his resignation.
In an article for KABC, a Los Angeles radio station where Ms Tweeden now works, she recalled feeling victimised by Mr Franken during her ninth USO tour of the Middle East. In an article for KABC, a Los Angeles radio station where Ms Tweeden now works, she recalled feeling victimised by Mr Franken during her ninth tour of the Middle East.
"When I saw the script, Franken had written a moment when his character comes climbing at me for a 'kiss'," she said."When I saw the script, Franken had written a moment when his character comes climbing at me for a 'kiss'," she said.
"I suspected what he was after, but I figured I could turn my head at the last minute, or put my hand over his mouth, to get more laughs from the crowd.""I suspected what he was after, but I figured I could turn my head at the last minute, or put my hand over his mouth, to get more laughs from the crowd."
On the day of the performance in Kuwait, she said he was insistent they rehearse the skit.On the day of the performance in Kuwait, she said he was insistent they rehearse the skit.
But when the moment came he "put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth".But when the moment came he "put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth".
"You knew exactly what you were doing," she wrote. "You forcibly kissed me without my consent, grabbed my breasts while I was sleeping and had someone take a photo of you doing it, knowing I would see it later, and be ashamed.""You knew exactly what you were doing," she wrote. "You forcibly kissed me without my consent, grabbed my breasts while I was sleeping and had someone take a photo of you doing it, knowing I would see it later, and be ashamed."
Later at a press conference in Los Angeles, Ms Tweeden went into further detail about how "he stuck his tongue in my mouth so fast". The Democratic leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, called for the chamber's Ethics Committee to investigate Franken, saying: "Sexual harassment is never acceptable."
"And all I can remember is that his lips were really wet and slimy," she said. The Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell echoed the call for an ethics investigation. Mr Franken said he would "gladly co-operate".
"In my mind I called him 'fish lips' the rest of the trip." In his second statement, he said: "I respect women. I don't respect men who don't. The fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed."
The Democratic leader of the Senate promptly called for the chamber's Ethics Committee to investigate Franken. Of the photo, he added: "I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself... It's obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture."
Senator Chuck Schumer said in a statement: "Sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated."
The Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell echoed the call for an ethics investigation.
Mr Franken said he would "gladly cooperate".
In his second statement, he said: "I respect women. I don't respect men who don't.
"And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed."
Of the photo, he added: "I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isn't funny. It's completely inappropriate.
"It's obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture."
But he still begged to differ on her portrayal of him forcing his tongue down her mouth.But he still begged to differ on her portrayal of him forcing his tongue down her mouth.
"While I don't remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does," he said, "I understand why we need to listen to and believe women's experiences.""While I don't remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does," he said, "I understand why we need to listen to and believe women's experiences."
As a senator for Minnesota, Mr Franken has cultivated an image for himself as a vocal champion of women's issues, from sexual assault to abortion rights and equal pay. Late on Thursday, President Donald Trump attacked Mr Franken in a series of tweets.
Mr Trump has himself denied numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. During the second presidential debate, he was asked if he had ever grabbed anyone's genitals or kissed them without consent.
"Women have respect for me. And I will tell you: No, I have not," he replied.
He is yet to comment on the allegations of sexual misconduct against Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, who denies the claims.
As a senator for Minnesota, Mr Franken has cultivated an image for himself as a champion of women's issues.
Ms Tweeden said she was inspired to come forward more than a decade later after California congresswoman Jackie Speier was interviewed on her morning radio programme.Ms Tweeden said she was inspired to come forward more than a decade later after California congresswoman Jackie Speier was interviewed on her morning radio programme.
Mrs Speier told about being sexually assaulted as a young congressional aide in Washington.Mrs Speier told about being sexually assaulted as a young congressional aide in Washington.
She also claimed to know two currently serving members of Congress who "have engaged in sexual harassment", though she did not name them.