A spokesman for Joe Biden said the former vice president does not recall an incident in 2014 when a female activist said he<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-lawmaker-says-joe-biden-inappropriately-touched-her-in-2014-206614"> inappropriately kissed her</a>, but some of his potential rivals for the Democratic nomination said on Saturday they believe his accuser.

The allegation was made in an online essay published on Friday by Lucy Flores, a party activist who was running to be Nevada's lieutenant governor. Flores said Biden also touched her shoulders and smelled her hair when they appeared at an event together, making her feel uncomfortable.

"He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," Flores wrote in the essay published in The Cut, an outlet of New York Magazine. "I couldn't move and I couldn't say anything. I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me."

Responding to the accusation, Biden spokesman Bill Russo said the vice president had been happy to support Flores and to speak on her behalf at the event.

"Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said on Friday in a statement.

Biden believes Flores has every right to share her own recollection, Russo added, and that it is a positive change for U.S. society that she has the opportunity.

In a separate statement on Saturday, Russo said: "People know Joe Biden and they know his character, his integrity and his values," adding that he was a champion for women.

Biden served eight years as vice president under former President Barack Obama and 36 years in the U.S. Senate. He has not yet said whether he will run for president in 2020, but has been expected to throw his hat into the ring soon.

Some of his potential rivals for the Democratic party's nomination to take on Republican Donald Trump addressed the allegation on Saturday.

Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, told reporters in Iowa that she believed Flores.

"Joe Biden needs to give an answer," Warren said.

Julian Castro, a former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development from Texas who is also running for president, said he also found Flores credible, according to news reports.

Flores supported Bernie Sanders in his losing 2016 bid for the Democratic nomination. Although the U.S. Senator from Vermont is running again, Flores has said on Twitter that she has not endorsed any of the candidates in this race.

Should Biden decide to run in 2020, after failed bids to be the party's nominee in 1988 and 2008, he will be a key figure in the Democratic debate over whether a liberal political newcomer or a centrist veteran is needed to win back the White House.

A spokesman for Joe Biden said the former vice president does not recall an incident in 2014 when a female activist said he inappropriately kissed her, but some of his potential rivals for the Democratic nomination said on Saturday they believe his accuser.

A spokesman for Joe Biden said the former vice president does not recall an incident in 2014 when a female activist said he inappropriately kissed her, but some of his potential rivals for the Democratic nomination said on Saturday they believe his accuser. The allegation was made in an online essay published on Friday by Lucy Flores, a party activist who was running to be Nevada's lieutenant governor. Flores said Biden also touched her shoulders and smelled her hair when they appeared at an event together, making her feel uncomfortable. "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," Flores wrote in the essay published in The Cut, an outlet of New York Magazine. "I couldn't move and I couldn't say anything. I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me." Responding to the accusation, Biden spokesman Bill Russo said the vice president had been happy to support Flores and to speak on her behalf at the event. "Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms. Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said on Friday in a statement. Biden believes Flores has every right to share her own recollection, Russo added, and that it is a positive change for U.S. society that she has the opportunity. In a separate statement on Saturday, Russo said: "People know Joe Biden and they know his character, his integrity and his values," adding that he was a champion for women. Biden served eight years as vice president under former President Barack Obama and 36 years in the U.S. Senate. He has not yet said whether he will run for president in 2020, but has been expected to throw his hat into the ring soon. Some of his potential rivals for the Democratic party's nomination to take on Republican Donald Trump addressed the allegation on Saturday. Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, told reporters in Iowa that she believed Flores. "Joe Biden needs to give an answer," Warren said. Julian Castro, a former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development from Texas who is also running for president, said he also found Flores credible, according to news reports. Flores supported Bernie Sanders in his losing 2016 bid for the Democratic nomination. Although the U.S. Senator from Vermont is running again, Flores has said on Twitter that she has not endorsed any of the candidates in this race. Should Biden decide to run in 2020, after failed bids to be the party's nominee in 1988 and 2008, he will be a key figure in the Democratic debate over whether a liberal political newcomer or a centrist veteran is needed to win back the White House.

US ex-VP Biden doesn't recall inappropriate kiss alleged by activist: Spokesman

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.

Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair.

"I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine.

"He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added.&nbsp;

"My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me."

It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April.

Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was "pleased" to support Flores's candidacy, but does not recall the incident.

"Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said in a statement.

He added that Biden "believes that Ms Flores has every right to share her own recollections and reflections and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so."

Biden's overly familiar approach with women has been a subject of discussion for years.&nbsp;

He has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of new defence secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015.

Biden's behaviour is receiving renewed attention in the #MeToo era when the movement against sexual assault has led to the downfall of dozens of politicians, entertainment figures and businessmen.

At a Democratic Party dinner in Delaware this month, he acknowledged how his physical style has raised questions.

"I'm a tactile politician, always have been. That's what gets me in trouble as well," Biden said.

Flores wrote that the celebrated Democrat ignores the "power imbalance" that exists between Biden and the women he touches.

"Even if his behaviour wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," she added.

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.

Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event. Lucy Flores, the state's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair. "I was mortified," Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine. "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she added. "My brain couldn't process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused," and "I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me." It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden's decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April. Biden's spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was "pleased" to support Flores's candidacy, but does not recall the incident. "Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes," Russo said in a statement. He added that Biden "believes that Ms Flores has every right to share her own recollections and reflections and that it is a change for better in our society that she has the opportunity to do so." Biden's overly familiar approach with women has been a subject of discussion for years. He has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies, and he came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of new defence secretary Ash Carter's wife in 2015. Biden's behaviour is receiving renewed attention in the #MeToo era when the movement against sexual assault has led to the downfall of dozens of politicians, entertainment figures and businessmen. At a Democratic Party dinner in Delaware this month, he acknowledged how his physical style has raised questions. "I'm a tactile politician, always have been. That's what gets me in trouble as well," Biden said. Flores wrote that the celebrated Democrat ignores the "power imbalance" that exists between Biden and the women he touches. "Even if his behaviour wasn't violent or sexual, it was demeaning and disrespectful," she added.

Ex-lawmaker says Joe Biden inappropriately touched her in 2014

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US ex-VP Biden doesn't recall inappropriate kiss alleged by activist: Spokesman

Ex-lawmaker says Joe Biden inappropriately touched her in 2014