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Brett Kavanaugh nomination: US senators hear crucial sex assault testimony Christine Blasey Ford: Kavanaugh sex attack changed my life
(35 minutes later)
The story that has dominated US politics for weeks is reaching fever pitch in a Senate committee room. A woman has testified that the man nominated for a vacant post on the US Supreme Court by Donald Trump carried out a sexual assault 36 years ago that "drastically" affected her life.
Brett Kavanaugh, the man nominated for a vacant post on the Supreme Court, and a woman accusing him of sexual assault are both testifying. Christine Blasey Ford told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Brett Kavanaugh's attack on her had left her "afraid and ashamed".
Mr Kavanaugh has denied allegations by Christine Blasey Ford, along with those of a number of other women. Mr Kavanaugh has denied allegations by Ms Ford, along with those of a number of other women.
He is also due to testify.
The nine-member Supreme Court plays a vital role in US political life, as it has the final say on US law.The nine-member Supreme Court plays a vital role in US political life, as it has the final say on US law.
This includes highly contentious social issues, such as abortion, and challenges to government policy.This includes highly contentious social issues, such as abortion, and challenges to government policy.
President Donald Trump has called the hearing an "important day in the history of our country". President Trump has called the hearing an "important day in the history of our country".
You can watch the hearing via the live stream at the top of this page.You can watch the hearing via the live stream at the top of this page.
What is happening at the hearing? What did Christine Blasey Ford say?
No-one has heard from 51-year-old Professor Ford publicly previously since the allegations arose. No-one had heard from 51-year-old Professor Ford publicly previously since the allegations arose.
After addresses by the leading Republican and Democrat members, Prof Ford is to deliver her opening statement. After addresses by the leading Republican and Democrat members, Prof Ford delivered her opening statement, at times close to tears.
The 21 senators on the committee will then have five minutes each to ask her questions. In her prepared testimony, Prof Ford said: "I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school."
The 10 Democrats will pose questions themselves and are expected to ask how the incident affected her and why it took her so long to talk about it. She alleged Mr Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge had locked her in a bedroom during a small gathering at a house in a Washington DC suburb in the summer of 1982.
She said Mr Kavanaugh tried to remove her clothing, pinned her to a bed and groped her, when she was 15 and he was 17. Both men were "drunkenly laughing", she said.
She added: "Brett's assault on me drastically altered my life. For a very long time, I was too afraid and ashamed to tell anyone the details."
The 21 senators on the committee have five minutes each to ask her questions.
The 10 Democrats are posing questions themselves and are asking how the incident affected her and why it took her so long to talk about it.
The 11 Republicans, all men, are expected to defer most of their questions to a female lawyer, Phoenix prosecutor Rachel Mitchell.The 11 Republicans, all men, are expected to defer most of their questions to a female lawyer, Phoenix prosecutor Rachel Mitchell.
Prof Ford will reportedly then leave the room and Mr Kavanaugh will enter. Prof Ford had earlier asked not to be in the same room as the judge.Prof Ford will reportedly then leave the room and Mr Kavanaugh will enter. Prof Ford had earlier asked not to be in the same room as the judge.
Mr Kavanaugh, 53, will deliver his statement and the same round of questioning will follow.Mr Kavanaugh, 53, will deliver his statement and the same round of questioning will follow.
A Democratic Party aide told Associated Press that its senators would try to make him look nervous and would address inconsistencies in his earlier statements. Do we know what Brett Kavanaughwill say?
Do we know what will be said?
Both Prof Ford and Mr Kavanaugh have released written testimony ahead of the hearing.
In her testimony, Prof Ford will say: "I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school.
"It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the Supreme Court. My responsibility is to tell the truth."
She will allege Mr Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge locked her in a bedroom during a small gathering at a house in a Washington DC suburb in the summer of 1982.
She will say Mr Kavanaugh tried to drunkenly remove her clothing, pinned her to a bed and groped her, when she was 15 and he was 17.
"Brett's assault on me drastically altered my life. For a very long time, I was too afraid and ashamed to tell anyone the details," she writes.
In his written testimony, Mr Kavanaugh denies Prof Ford's allegation "immediately, unequivocally, and categorically", along with all other accusations against him.In his written testimony, Mr Kavanaugh denies Prof Ford's allegation "immediately, unequivocally, and categorically", along with all other accusations against him.
The written testimony suggests Mr Kavanaugh will not try to portray himself as a saint.The written testimony suggests Mr Kavanaugh will not try to portray himself as a saint.
He will say: "I was not perfect in those days, just as I am not perfect today. I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many."He will say: "I was not perfect in those days, just as I am not perfect today. I drank beer with my friends, usually on weekends. Sometimes I had too many."
But he will also say that what he has been accused of is "far more serious than juvenile misbehaviour".But he will also say that what he has been accused of is "far more serious than juvenile misbehaviour".
Are there other allegations against Mr Kavanaugh?Are there other allegations against Mr Kavanaugh?
Yes, and new ones appeared as the hearing loomed. At present they are:Yes, and new ones appeared as the hearing loomed. At present they are:
Mr Kavanaugh denies these allegations.Mr Kavanaugh denies these allegations.
In his written testimony he says: "Over the past few days, other false and uncorroborated accusations have been aired. There has been a frenzy to come up with something - anything, no matter how far-fetched or odious - that will block a vote on my nomination.In his written testimony he says: "Over the past few days, other false and uncorroborated accusations have been aired. There has been a frenzy to come up with something - anything, no matter how far-fetched or odious - that will block a vote on my nomination.
"These are last-minute smears, pure and simple.""These are last-minute smears, pure and simple."
What is Donald Trump's stance?What is Donald Trump's stance?
He has portrayed the events in political terms, accusing the Democrats of trying to block the nomination.He has portrayed the events in political terms, accusing the Democrats of trying to block the nomination.
Mr Trump has repeatedly defended the judge's character, saying he is "one of the highest quality people" he has ever met.Mr Trump has repeatedly defended the judge's character, saying he is "one of the highest quality people" he has ever met.
But the president on Wednesday did say he could withdraw the nomination if accusations against the judge were proven.But the president on Wednesday did say he could withdraw the nomination if accusations against the judge were proven.
He said: "I can always be convinced. If I thought he was guilty of something like this, yes, sure. It's possible I'll hear that, and I'll say, 'hey, I'm changing my mind'. I want to watch."He said: "I can always be convinced. If I thought he was guilty of something like this, yes, sure. It's possible I'll hear that, and I'll say, 'hey, I'm changing my mind'. I want to watch."
Why does this all matter and what happens next?Why does this all matter and what happens next?
The Senate Judiciary Committee must vote on Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation before it goes to the full Senate for a vote there.The Senate Judiciary Committee must vote on Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation before it goes to the full Senate for a vote there.
The committee is scheduled to vote on Friday but its chairman, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, has left open the possibility of a further delay.The committee is scheduled to vote on Friday but its chairman, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, has left open the possibility of a further delay.
All 10 Democratic senators on the committee have called on President Trump to "immediately withdraw" Mr Kavanaugh's nomination.All 10 Democratic senators on the committee have called on President Trump to "immediately withdraw" Mr Kavanaugh's nomination.
Republicans want their nominee in place before mid-term elections next month, when they could lose their 51-49 control of the Senate.Republicans want their nominee in place before mid-term elections next month, when they could lose their 51-49 control of the Senate.
Any confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh could also affect female voters in November. The confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991, despite allegations of sexual harassment, fuelled the rise of a new generation of female politicians in elections the following year. .Any confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh could also affect female voters in November. The confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991, despite allegations of sexual harassment, fuelled the rise of a new generation of female politicians in elections the following year. .
Supreme Court judges are nominated by the president and hold the position for life.Supreme Court judges are nominated by the president and hold the position for life.
Mr Kavanaugh's presence on the court could give it a more conservative character for decades.Mr Kavanaugh's presence on the court could give it a more conservative character for decades.