Former US president apologises after actor accuses him of sexual assault

Former United States President George H.W. Bush has reportedly apologised after an actress accused him of sexually assaulting her while he was in his wheelchair during an event.

Heather Lind, who starred in the AMC series "Turn: Washington's Spies," had alleged that the former US president sexually assaulted her when they posed for a photograph several years ago.

The Guardian quoted a spokesman for the former president, as saying to a newspaper, "President Bush would never - under any circumstance - intentionally cause anyone distress, and he most sincerely apologizes if his attempt at humour offended Ms Lind."

According to media reports, Lind in a now deleted Instagram post had said, "When I got the chance to meet George H. W. Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo. He didn't shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke and then all the while being photographed, touched me again."

She added that Barbara had rolled her eyes as if to say 'not again' when the president touched her a second time.

"His security guard told me I shouldn't have stood next to him for the photo," Lind further said.

Lind wrote that she was disturbed after seeing Bush being lauded for his charitable work onstage at a fundraising event for victims of the hurricanes and this impelled her to speak out.

She also appreciated the bravery of other women who have spoken up and written about their experiences about incidents of sexual harassment and assault happened to them.

However, Lind thanked President Barack Obama for the gesture of respect he made toward George H. W. Bush for the sake of the country, but mentioned that she does not respect him.

This news comes in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations made against Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a number of women over a period of 30 years.