The latest accusations of sexual harassment against Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain are "completely false," a spokesman said today.
The response from Mr Cain's camp came minutes after Sharon Bialek held a New York news conference to say Mr Cain had put his hand up her skirt and pulled her head toward his crotch when she asked for his help with getting a job.
Three other allegations of sexual harassment have plagued Mr Cain's campaign in the past two weeks.
"All allegations of harassment against Mr. Cain are completely false," JD Gordon of the Friends of Herman Cain said in an emailed statement.
"Mr. Cain has never harassed anyone. Fortunately the American people will not allow Mr. Cain's bold "9-9-9 Plan", clear foreign policy vision and plans for energy independence to be overshadowed by these bogus attacks."
However, the allegations against Mr Cain have begun to damage his bid for the White House, a Reuters/Ipsos poll has found.
The poll showed the percentage of Republicans who view Mr Cain favourably dropped 9 percentage points, to 57 per cent from 66 per cent a week ago. Among all registered voters, Mr Cains favourability declined 5 percentage points, to 32 per cent from 37 per cent.
The survey represents the first evidence that sexual harassment claims dating from Mr Cains time as head of the US National Restaurant Association have taken a toll on his presidential campaign.
A majority of respondents, 53 per cent, believe sexual harassment allegations against Mr Cain are true despite his denials.
Reuters