US senator Al Franken accused of sexual misconduct

Democrat senator Al Franken is facing allegations of sexual misconduct after posing for a photo in which he appeared to grope a broadcaster.

US Senator Al Franken poses for a photo where he appears to grope broadcaster Leeann Tweeden.

US senator Al Franken faced allegations of sexual misconduct today after a woman said he kissed her against her will during a 2006 rehearsal and he posed for a photo in which he appeared to grope her while she was asleep.

Senator Franken said he didn’t recall the rehearsal events occurring the same way but offered his “sincerest apologies.” He said the photo was a failed joke and he “shouldn’t have done it.”

The allegation comes as the Senate Republican leadership is grappling with the claims of sexual misconduct against Roy Moore, the GOP nominee in the Senate race in Alabama. Mr Moore has denied the allegations and refused to step aside in the race, but Senate Republicans say they plan to try to expel him if he wins the election.

Senator Al Franken. Picture: Mark Wilson/Getty Images/AFP.

Senator Franken is the only sitting senator to currently face a public accusation of sexual misconduct. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called for a review of the Franken matter.

“As with all credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault, I believe the Ethics Committee should review the matter,” Senator McConnell said. “I hope the Democratic Leader will join me on this. Regardless of party, harassment and assault are completely unacceptable — in the workplace or anywhere else.”

Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement echoed Senator McConnell’s call, saying “sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated. I hope and expect that the Ethics Committee will fully investigate this troubling incident, as they should with any credible allegation of sexual harassment.”

In a statement, Senator Franken said he is “asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly co-operate.”

Leeann Tweeden, a model and broadcast host, said in a blog post that the incident with Senator Franken occurred in December 2006 during a USO tour overseas to entertain troops. Senator Franken, who was a comedian and author before becoming a senator in 2009, wrote a skit that included the two kissing. She said she planned to turn her head and not be kissed directly on the mouth.

Backstage, while rehearsing the skit, Ms Tweeden alleges Senator Franken “mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth.” Later, on the flight home according to Ms Tweeden, Senator Franken was photographed appearing to grope, or pretending to grope, Ms Tweeden while she was sleeping. She said she wasn’t aware of this until she was reviewing photos she had been given of the trip. She posted the photo in her article.

Senator Franken missed a series of votes at the Capitol on Thursday afternoon after Ms Tweeden published her account.

I’ve decided it’s time to tell my story. #MeToohttps://t.co/TqTgfvzkZg

— Leeann Tweeden (@LeeannTweeden) November 16, 2017

In an initial brief statement, Senator Franken said: “I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann. As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it.”

In a longer subsequent statement, Senator Franken reiterated his comments on the rehearsal and the photo, but delivered a broader apology: “The first thing I want to do is apologise: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women ... 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.”

Ms Tweeden wrote in her post: “You knew exactly what you were doing. 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.”

Both the Senate and House of Representatives have recently amended policies to require sexual harassment training for all politicians and staff.

“This is unacceptable behaviour and extremely disappointing, Senator Patty Murray said in a statement. “I am glad Al came out and apologised, but that doesn’t reverse what he’s done or end the matter. I support an ethics committee investigation into these accusations and I hope this latest example of the deep problems on this front spurs continued action to address it.”

Dow Jones