Joe Biden has refused to apologise for his remarks about working with segregationist senators despite his fellow 2020 Democrat candidates publicly rebuking him.

The former Vice President remained defiant on Thursday after saying he "got things done" with segregationists during a fundraising event in New York.

Mr Biden is the clear front-runner in the crowded Democratic field but has struggled with accusations that he is out of step with his party.

He has framed himself as a moderate who can unite the country and has spoken of his desire to work with Republicans while on the campaign trail.

It was in this vein that he told supporters on Wednesday that while he opposed the segregationist views of late southern senators James Eastland and Herman Talmadge, they co-operated to pass legislation.