Bush senior apologizes after sexual assault allegation

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush has apologized after actress Heather Lind accused him of sexual assault.

On Tuesday in a now-deleted Instagram post, Lind said the 93-year-old former president touched her from behind and made a dirty joke from his wheelchair while his wife Barbara was standing by his side during a photo-op in 2014.

“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," Lind said. "And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again. Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say 'not again'."

In a statement, Jim McGrath, a spokesman for the former president, said: “President Bush would never—under any circumstance—intentionally cause anyone distress, and he most sincerely apologizes if his attempt at humor offended Ms. Lind."

Lind, in the lengthy Instagram post, said a president's power is to enact positive change, help people, and serve as a symbol of U.S. democracy. However, "he relinquished that power when he used it against me and, judging from the comments of those around him, countless other women before me," she added.

"And I thank President Barack Obama for the gesture of respect he made toward George H.W. Bush for the sake of our country, but I do not respect him.”

Lind posted the accusation under the trending #MeToo hashtag, which is being used by women on social media to share personal experiences of sexual harassment and assault. It spread after sexual assault allegations were leveled at Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein by a number of women.