Ottawa:The woman who accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 18 years ago of groping her says she stands by her account.
She released a statement on Friday to CBC News, her first public comment on the allegations that resurfaced over a month ago.
She said the incident, described in August 2000 in an editorial in a newspaper “did occur, as reported”, BBC reported.
Trudeau has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is confident he did “not act inappropriately”.
The woman was a journalist at the time and covering an event attended by Trudeau.
The editorial and its allegations resurfaced after a blogger posted an image of the article on Twitter in June.
The event in Creston, British Columbia, was held to raise money for an avalanche safety charity with which Trudeau was involved.
Days afterwards, an unsigned editorial appeared in a local paper, accusing him of “groping” a young female reporter.
Trudeau first responded to the nearly 20-year-old incident on July 1 when questioned by journalists.
The Prime Minister said he did not recall any “negative interactions” at the event, though he said he remembered the day in Creston well.
Trudeau, facing groping allegation, says he apologised, did nothing wrong
