Doctor Backs Cain Accuser's Sex Claim

US presidential candidate Herman Cain is under renewed pressure over claims he sexually harassed a string of women.

A paediatrician has come forward and declared he was with one of those accusers when they met Mr Cain more than a decade ago.

Dr Victor Zuckerman's account directly contradicts the Republican politician's claim that he had never met Sharon Bialek and had never heard her name until recently .

Last week Ms Bialek said Mr Cain made unwanted sexual advances while he was chief executive of the National Restaurant Association in Washington, DC.

At least three other women have alleged that the presidential hopeful engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour in the 1990s.

The former pizza chain executive has denied the accusations.

Dr Zuckerman, who is a former boyfriend of Ms Bialek, appeared at a news conference alongside celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred, who is representing at least one of the alleged victims.

He said: "A question that has been asked is why Sharon waited this many years to come forward.

"Like many women in the workplace, she quietly endured what she felt was a sexual assault.

"However now Mr Cain is running for the most powerful position in the world the public has a right to know this information and help them make an informed decision."

Dr Zuckerman's revelation come as Mr Cain's wife Gloria defended the candidate in her first television interview of the campaign.

She told Fox News: "To hear such graphic allegations and know that that would have been something that was totally disrespectful of her as a woman and I know that's not the person he is. He totally respects women."

Her husband has been the surprise candidate so far in the race for the right to face-off against Barack Obama next year's presidential election.

The preacher and radio host, who also won a battle with cancer, has traded on being an outsider to the political establishment in Washington and talking up his business credentials.

His showing in the opinion polls has survived the scandal so far, although he continues trail the favourite Mitt Romney in most.

Lawyer Ms Allred said: "Mr Cain's strategy of blanket denials simply won't work. He needs to come clean with the American public - now is the time."