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Biden denies ex-aide’s sexual assault allegation
Former Vice-President Joe Biden has denied an allegation that he sexually assaulted a former aide nearly 30 years ago as a US senator.
Tara Reade, who worked briefly as a staff assistant in Mr Biden’s office, has said that her former boss forced her against a wall, putting his hands under her shirt and skirt.
“This absolutely did not happen,” Mr Biden’s campaign said this week.
Mr Biden, 77, is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.
“He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard – and heard respectfully,” said his campaign spokeswoman. “Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: It is untrue.”
Ms Reade, 56, described the allegation in an interview with podcast host Katie Halper in March.
She was asked to deliver a gym bag to the senator in the spring of 1993, she said, and found herself alone with Mr Biden.
“There was no exchange, really, he just had me up against the wall,” she said to Ms Halper.
“I remember it happened all at once… his hands were on me and underneath my clothes.” He then penetrated her with his fingers, she said.
“I remember him saying, first, as he was doing it ‘Do you want to go somewhere else?’ and then him saying to me, when I pulled away… he said ‘Come on man, I heard you liked me,’” she said. “That phrase stayed with me.”
The fact he was a champion of women’s rights in her eyes made the experience all the more shattering, she said.
Then-Senator Biden at the 1991 confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Ms Reade filed a criminal complaint on 9 April with police, saying she was a victim of sexual assault but did not name Mr Biden. She said in a tweet that she filed the complained “for safety reasons only”, as the statute of limitations for her claim have expired.
Ms Reade was one of eight women who came forward last year to accuse the candidate of inappropriate touching, hugging or kissing, though none described his actions as sexual assault at the time.
In response, Mr Biden pledged to be “more mindful” in his interactions.
