US President Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has been thrust into turmoil after the woman accusing him of high school-era sexual misconduct told her story publicly for the first time.

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Democrats immediately called for a delay in a key committee vote set for this week and at least one Republican panel member said he was willing to hear from the woman, but that the confirmation process must not be derailed.

The woman, Christine Blasey Ford, told The Washington Post in her first interview that Mr Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed at a Maryland party they attended in the early 1980s, clumsily tried to remove her clothing and put his hand over her mouth when she tried to scream.

"I thought he might inadvertently kill me," Ms Ford said.

"He was trying to attack me and remove my clothing."

Ms Ford, 51 and a clinical psychology professor at Palo Alto University in California, said she was able to get away after a friend of Mr Kavanaugh's who was in the room jumped on top of them and everyone tumbled.

Mr Kavanaugh, 53 and a federal appeals judge in Washington, on Sunday repeated an earlier denial of Ms Ford's allegation.

"I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time," Mr Kavanaugh said through the White House.

Sorry, this video has expired Protesters have been vocal since day one of Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing (Photo: AP/Jacquelyn Martin)

A Senate divided

Mr Kavanaugh's nomination has sharply divided an already closely split Senate, with most Democrats opposing him and most Republicans supporting him.

But the allegations of sexual misconduct, particularly coming amid the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, coupled with Ms Ford's emergence could complicate matters.

It is especially troublesome as key Republican senators are under enormous pressure from outside groups who want them to oppose Mr Kavanaugh on grounds that as a justice he could vote to undercut the Roe v Wade ruling legalising abortion in the US.

In considering their options, Republicans largely settled on the view that Ms Ford's story alone was not enough to delay Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation.

Senator Grassley could invite Ms Ford to testify, likely in closed session before Thursday.

Mr Kavanaugh would also probably be asked to appear before senators.

The panel would also likely seek testimony from Mark Judge, Mr Kavanaugh's friend and classmate.

Ms Ford identified Mr Judge as the friend who jumped on top of her and Mr Kavanaugh. Mr Judge denied that the incident happened.

Republicans had not settled on the strategy, the person familiar with the situation said, but were weighing options, including doing nothing.

Ford first shared details at couples therapy

Brett Kavanaugh's factbox Age: 53 (born February 12, 1965 in Washington, DC)

53 (born February 12, 1965 in Washington, DC) Education: BA, Yale University 1987; JD, Yale Law School 1990

BA, Yale University 1987; JD, Yale Law School 1990 Since 2006: Judge in US Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit

Judge in US Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit 2003-06: Staff secretary to president George W Bush

Staff secretary to president George W Bush 2001-03: White House counsel's office

White House counsel's office 1997-98, 1999-2001: Partner at Kirkland and Ellis law firm

Partner at Kirkland and Ellis law firm 1994-97: Associate counsel at Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr

Associate counsel at Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr 1993-94: Law clerk, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy

Law clerk, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy 1992-93: Office of Solicitor General

Ms Ford told the Post that Mr Kavanaugh and a friend — both "stumbling drunk" — corralled her into a bedroom during a house party in Maryland in the early 1980s when she was about 15 and Mr Kavanaugh was about 17.

She said Mr Kavanaugh groped her over her clothes, grinded his body against hers and tried to take off her one-piece swimsuit and the outfit she wore over it.

Mr Kavanaugh covered her mouth with his hand when she tried to scream, she said.

She escaped when Mr Kavanaugh's friend jumped on them and everyone tumbled, she said.

In the interview, Ms Ford said she never revealed what had happened to her until 2012, when she and her husband sought couples therapy.

Portions of her therapist's notes, which Ms Ford provided to the Post, did not mention Mr Kavanaugh by name but said Ms Ford reported being attacked by students "from an elitist boys' school" who went on to become "highly respected and high-ranking members of society in Washington".

Mr Kavanaugh attended a private school for boys in Maryland while Ms Ford attended a nearby school.

Ford wanted control over telling her story

Ms Ford had contacted the Post through a tip line in early July after it had become clear that Mr Kavanaugh was on Mr Trump's shortlist to fill a vacancy but before the Republican president nominated him, the newspaper said.

A registered Democrat, Ms Ford contacted her representative in Congress, Democrat Anna Eshoo, around the same time.

In late July, Ms Ford sent a letter through Ms Eshoo's office to Senator Feinstein.

Senator Feinstein said she notified federal investigators about the letter, and the FBI confirmed it has included the information in the letter in Mr Kavanaugh's background file, which all senators can read.

Sixty-five women who knew Mr Kavanagh in high school defended him in another letter, circulated by Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, as someone who "always treated women with decency and respect."

Ms Ford told the Post she changed her mind about coming forward after watching portions of her story come out without her permission.

She said if anyone was going to tell her story, she wanted to be the one to tell it.

Sorry, this video has expired Bernie Sanders fires up rally opposing Kavanaugh nomination

AP