Donald Trump sexual harassment accusers urge Congress to probe allegations

A group of women who have accused US President Donald Trump of sexual misconduct have called on Congress to investigate the allegations.

Speaking at a press conference in New York on Monday (11 December), the women want further action to take place in the context of the Me Too movement which has been sweeping the world and highlighting incidents of sexual harassment and assault against women.

One of the accusers, Rachel Crooks, was a receptionist at Trump Tower 12 years ago when, she alleges, she was "forcibly kissed" repeatedly on the cheeks and lips by Trump during their first introduction.

She described it as "an encounter that has since impacted my life well beyond the initial occurrence", describing his alleged actions as "serial misconduct and perversion".

Crooks urged Congress to "put aside party affiliations and investigate Trump's history of sexual misconduct".

Another of Trump's accusers, Jessica Leeds hoped the Me Too movement, which began after numerous accusations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, will put more pressure on Congress to investigate. "I am hoping that this will come forward and produce enough pressure on Congress to address it more than just for their own members but to address it with the president," she said.

Leeds has alleged that Trump grabbed her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt while they were on a first class flight in the 1980s, when she was a travelling salesperson in her late 30s.

Samantha Holvey, a former Miss North Carolina who claimed Trump used to barge into contestants' dressing rooms and "treat them like a piece of meat", agreed that a "non-partisan" probe into the president was imperative.

Robert Greenwald, the president of Brave New Films, began the press conference with a video showing 16 women telling similar stories of alleged sexual misconduct by the president. He said: "We know better, we know a lot better, predators and harassers must be held accountable."

Greenwald advocated the investigation of Trump and added that "elected officials, no matter what party affiliation, should act".

Trump has always denied all allegations against him. A statement from the White House read on the Today show stated: "These false claims, totally disputed in most cases by eyewitness accounts, were addressed at length during last year's campaign, and the American people voiced their judgement by delivering a decisive victory.

"The timing and absurdity of these false claims speaks volumes and the publicity tour that has begun only further confirms the political motives behind them."