The woman who claimed Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, groped her 18 years ago has come forward to defend the allegations.

Former journalist Rose Knight broke her silence to stand by her claims after Mr Trudeau said he did not recall any "negative interactions" when the story resurfaced last week.

Mr Trudeau, an avowed feminist, was asked to comment on a report that he had groped a journalist during a music festival in Creston, British Columbia in 2000.

"I issue this statement reluctantly, in response to mounting media pressure to confirm that I was the reporter who was the subject of the Open Eyes editorial, published in the Creston Valley Advance in August of 2000," Ms Knight said in a statement to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

"The incident referred to in the editorial did occur, as reported. Mr Trudeau did apologise the next day. I did not pursue the incident at the time and will not be pursuing the incident further. I have had no subsequent contact with Mr Trudeau, before or after he became prime minister".