While having acknowledged and apologised for some inappropriate behaviuor,Mr Franken strongly denied the latest accusation that came from a former Democratic congressional aide, who said he tried to forcibly kiss her after a taping of his radio show in 2006.

The woman, who was not identified, told Politico that she ducked to avoid his lips but Franken told her: “It's my right as an entertainer.” Mr Franken said the idea he would claim such conduct as a right was “preposterous.”

However, the allegation was enough for Democratic Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer, Claire McCaskill, Kamala Harris, Sherrod Brown and seven others to publicly call for his resignation.

Mr Franken is among a host of public figures accused of sexual misconduct, including fellow Democrat and Representative John Conyers who also resigned this week after several women came forward with stories about his alleged inappropriate behaviour. Mr Conyers has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Franken had earlier called on the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate the allegations, however today he said that he "can’t sit through the committee process and be an effective senator for" the people of Minnesota.