A black man has confronted Sean Spicer at a book signing - accusing him of calling him the N-word when they were in school together.

The former White House press secretary was at a promotional event in Rhode Island when he was confronted by Alex Lombard.

In an exchange that seemed jovial at first, Mr Lombard called out Mr Spicer's name, and said they had gone to Portsmouth Abbey School together.

Mr Spicer appeared to recognise him - waving and asking him how he was.

Image: Alex Lombard confronted Sean Spicer at a book signing

Mr Lombard then asked: "You don't remember that you tried to fight me? But you called me a n***** first. Remember? Remember? You called me a n*****, Sean."


A security guard led him away as he shouted: "I was 14 then. I was a scared kid then, Sean. I'm not scared to fight you now."

Other attendees at the book signing turned on Mr Lombard as he was escorted out. One called him crass, while another shouted: "Get out of here, loser!"

The confrontation was filmed by Scott Barrett, a reporter for the Newport Daily News.

July 2017: Seven special Spicey moments

Mr Lombard was reportedly in Portsmouth Abbey School's class of 1990, while Mr Spicer was in the class of 1989.

Following the incident, a publicist for Mr Spicer said he was "taken aback" by the man's "outrageous claim" - and said he had no recollection of being in school with him.

Lauren McCue, a publicist for Regnery Publishing, said Mr Spicer was "not sure if this was just a stunt this man was pulling" - adding that it was an "odd time" for the allegation to be made given that he has been in the news for a couple of years.

Mr Spicer has been promoting his memoirs, called The Briefing: Politics, The Press And The President. He served in the White House for six months.

'You're garbage': Heckler disrupts Spicer speech

This is not the first time he has been confronted on his book tour.

At a launch event in New York, a heckler shouted at Mr Spicer: "You're a real piece of garbage. And I hope you look around and you see all these empty seats.

"I've read the reviews… it's a garbage book and you're a garbage person!"