Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has vehemently denied allegations of sexual misconduct on his part, earlier forwarded by a former Senate staffer, saying it "never happened".
"I want to address allegations by a former staffer that I engaged in misconduct 27 years ago. They aren't true. This never happened", Biden said in his statement.
"They aren't true. This never happened"
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 1, 2020
Joe Biden releases his first statement denying Tara Reade's sexual assault allegation. pic.twitter.com/VA8PMSHH7R
The presidential hopeful has further requested the Secretary of the Senate to search the National Archives to identify any complaints against him, his accuser, Tara Reade, claims to have filed back in 1993, when she worked at the Senate.
"As a presidential candidate, I’m accountable to the American people. […] I believe being accountable means having the difficult conversations, even when they are uncomfortable. People need to hear the truth", Biden said.
Pressure on Democratic Presidential Hopeful
Biden's statement comes amid mounting pressure from Republicans to address the accusations, as well as representatives of the MeToo movement. Republicans recalled how Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced extreme pressure over unsubstantiated sexual misconduct allegations against him during the appointment process, and argued Biden should face a similar level of scrutiny.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the issue suggesting that Biden should respond to the accusations, but admitted they could be false.
"It could be false accusations, I know all about false accusations", Trump said.
Biden has never faced such accusations before, but a few have previously called some of his manners inappropriate or outright harassment. The presidential hopeful admitted that the rules of social distancing and personal boundaries have changed over his lifetime, but has not apologised for his behaviour.
