The comedian and former Democratic senator Al Franken has said he “absolutely” regrets resigning over groping allegations, following a report that has questioned some of the main accusation levelled at him.

Mr Franken, a former star of Saturday Night Live who was elected to the Senate in 2009, stood down two years ago after claims of sexual misconduct from at least six women.

“All women deserve to be heard and their experiences taken seriously,” he said, speaking from the floor of the chamber, where 36 of his Democratic colleagues had urged him to quit.

Now, the 68-year-old has said he regrets the decision, and seven of the thirty-six Democrats said they also wish they had acted differently.

In an interview with the New Yorker, Mr Franken said his therapist had likened his experience to “what happens when primates are shunned and humiliated by the rest of the other primates”. “I’m going to die alone in the jungle,” he said.

#MeToo movement – In pictures Show all 24 1 /24 #MeToo movement – In pictures #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 A picture shows the messages "#Me too" and #Balancetonporc ("expose your pig") on the hand of a protester during a gathering against gender-based and sexual violence called by the Effronte-e-s Collective, on the Place de la Republique square in Paris AFP #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Italian actress Asia Argento (C) and US singer and actress Rose McGowan, who both accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, take part in a march organised by 'Non Una Di Meno' (Me too) movement as part of the International Women's Day in Rome AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 Victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse and their supporters protest during a #MeToo march in Hollywood, California AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 South Korean women staging a monthly protest against secretly-filmed spycam pornography in Seoul. Since May 2018, the monthly demonstrations against secretly-filmed spycam pornography in Seoul has shattered records to become the biggest-ever women's protest in South Korea where the global #MeToo movement has unleashed an unprecedented wave of female-led activism AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 Swedish MEP Linnéa Engström sits behind a placard placed on her desk that reads "Me too" during a debate about combating sexual harassment and abuse in the EU at the European Parliament in Strasbourg AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists participate in front of the Brandenburg Gate in a demonstration for women's rights in Berlin Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 A McDonald's employee holds a sign during a protest against sexual harassment in the workplace in Chicago AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 An activist participates in the 2018 #MeToo March in Hollywood Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Women protest in New York Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Women hold a banner reading "still feminist" with the Eiffel tower in background AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 French activist Jean-Baptiste Redde, aka Voltuan, holds a placard as protesters take part in a gathering against gender-based and sexual violence in Paris AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse, including Democratic candidate for Illinois governor at the time JB Prtizker (left), gather in the Federal Building Plaza to protest the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in Chicago, Illinois after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted out Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh and agreed to an additional week of investigation into accusations of sexual assault against him before the full Senate votes on his confirmation. Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both teens Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 A group describing themselves as #MeToo/#YoTambien survivors, hold a candlelight vigil outside the Mexico Consulate to support the women taking part in the human caravan heading through Mexico to the US border AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 Victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse and their supporters protest during a #MeToo march in Hollywood AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 South Korean demonstrators hold banners during a rally to mark International Women's Day AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Dozens of women and men attend a rally and march in Washington Square Park for international Women's Day in New York Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 People carry signs addressing the issue of sexual harassment at a #MeToo rally outside of Trump International Hotel in New York Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 Victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse and their supporters protest during a #MeToo march in Hollywood AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 South Korean demonstrators hold banners during a rally to mark International Women's Day AFP/Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Dozens of protesters against the confirmation of Republican Supreme court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh gather outside of Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer's office on the afternoon that Professor Christine Blasey Ford testified against Kavanaugh in New York Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse gather in the Federal Building Plaza in Chicago Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Dozens of women and men attend a rally and march in Washington Square Park Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2017 People carry signs addressing the issue of sexual harassment at a #MeToo rally outside of Trump International Hotel Getty #MeToo movement – In pictures 2018 Activists and advocates for survivors of sexual abuse gather in the Federal Building Plaza to protest the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Getty

The piece quotes seven senators expressing regrets about the way they behaved in late 2017, as the MeToo movement - which saw men and women share their experiences of sexual assault - gathered force, following accusations against Harvey Weinstein and a series of other high profile figures. The movie producer was charged with rape and sexual abuse, allegations to which he has pleaded not guilty.

“If there’s one decision I’ve made that I would take back, it’s the decision to call for his resignation,” said Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, a former senator who was among those who called for Mr Franken to quit.

“It was made in the heat of the moment, without concern for exactly what this was.”

Patrick Leahy, the veteran Democrat from Vermont, said the decision to call for Mr Franken’s resignation without first obtaining all the facts was “one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made” in the Senate.

Many had called for an independent inquiry to be carried out before Mr Franken stood down, but he said he was under pressure from Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer.

Trump Mocks Al Franken's Resignation: 'He folded like a wet rag'

“I made a mistake,” said senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. “I started having second thoughts shortly after he stepped down.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, one of two-dozen Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for 2020, said she stood by her decision, despite being criticised by Democratic donors.

“I’d do it again today,” said Ms Gillibrand. “If a few wealthy donors are angry about that, it’s on them.”

The New Yorker report claimed several of the allegations made about Mr Franken by one of the higher profile accusers, conservative comedian and talk show host, Leeann Tweeden, appeared not to stand up to scrutiny.

In November 2017, a talk-radio station released a photo of Mr Franken pretending to grab Ms Tweeden’s breasts while on a 2006 tour for troops organised by the united service organisations (USO).

The report said Ms Tweeden claimed Mr Franken wrote a sketch especially for her so he could kiss her. She said he told her: “When I found out you were coming on this tour, I wrote a little scene, if you will, with you in it.”

She also told a press conference he demanded that they rehearse the kissing scene, something she questioned

“I immediately pushed him away with both of my hands against his chest and told him if he ever did that to me again I wouldn't be so nice about it the next time,” she said. “I felt disgusted and violated.”

The article claims the same sketch performed on previous USO tours, by other actresses, without incident.