Prominent U.S. Democratic Party Senator Al Franken has apologised for groping a colleague in 2006, saying “there’s no excuse” for the incident, and that he is willing to undergo an ethics investigation into the matter.
His statement comes after radio presenter Leeann Tweeden accused the Minnesota politician of forcefully kissing her during a skit rehearsal, and groping her breasts while she was sleeping.
She states both incidents occurred while they were on tour entertaining U.S. troops in Iraq, when Franken was still a well-known professional comedian.
“Franken had written some skits for the show and brought props and costumes to go along with them,” Tweeden wrote in a piece for radio station KABC, adding “when I saw the script, Franken had written a moment when his character comes at me for a ‘kiss’.
“I suspected what he was after, but I figured I could turn my head at the last minute, or put my hand over his mouth, to get more laughs from the crowd.”
Tweeden said that Franken insisted on rehearsing the kiss before a performance, and that she dismissed the need to do so. However, Tweeden “said ‘OK’ so he would stop badgering me.
“We did the line leading up to the kiss and then he came at me, put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth.”
She said she immediately recoiled and expressed her discomfort to Franken. During performances of the skit, Tweeden said she turned her head to avoid kissing him. She stated she actively avoided him for the duration of the tour, excluding their time on-stage.
Tweeden also shared a photo which appears to show Franken groping her breasts while she was asleep while travelling back to Los Angeles.
I’ve decided it’s time to tell my story. #MeToohttps://t.co/TqTgfvzkZg
— Leeann Tweeden (@LeeannTweeden) November 16, 2017
“I couldn’t believe it. He groped me, without my consent, while I was asleep,” Tweeden said.
“I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated.
“How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?”
In response, Franken said “the first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone 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 a support and champion of women. I’m sorry.”
The senator added that although he has a different recollection of rehearsals for the skit, “I understand why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences.”
“As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it,” Franken added.
Responses from both major parties have been swift. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said “as with all credible allegations of sexual harassment or assault, I believe the Ethics Committee should review the matter. 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.”
On the Democratic side, Senator Claire McAskill, who has previously addressed the sexual harassment she has experienced, said she’d also support an ethics investigation.
Re Al Franken: I’m shocked and concerned. The behavior described is completely unacceptable. Comedy is no excuse for inappropriate conduct, and I believe there should be an ethics investigation.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) November 16, 2017
Franken, who was elected to the Senate in 2008, has become a major player in the Democratic Party, leading to discussions that he may be a potential candidate for the presidency at the 2020 election.
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