Donald Trump backs Roy Moore for Senate despite sex accusations

President Donald Trump has discounted allegations of sexual assault against Roy Moore, the controversial Republican Senate candidate.

Six women have accused Mr Moore, who is standing in Alabama, of pursuing romantic relationships with them when they were teenagers and he was a lawyer in his 30s.

Two have accused him of assault or molestation. Mr Moore has denied the allegations.

Asked if he supported Mr Moore, Mr Trump said: “He denies it. He totally denies it. That’s all I can say.

“I can tell you one thing for sure, we don’t need a liberal democrat in that seat. We don’t need a liberal person in there.”

He called Mr Moore’s Democrat opponent Doug Jones “soft on crime, soft on the border and soft on the military”.

Mr Trump added: “We don't need somebody who's soft on crime like Jones."

He did not rule out actively campaigning for Mr Moore, adding that he would say more next week.

It was the first time the president had addressed the controversy surrounding Mr Moore.

He added that the allegations dated back 40 years.

Republican leaders in Congress called on Mr Moore to step aside more than a week ago.

Mr Trump spoke as he left the White House for a Thanksgiving break at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Asked about the flood of sexual allegations against prominent figures in the political and entertainment worlds, Mr Trump said: “Women are very special. I think it’s a very special time, a lot of things are coming out and I think that’s good for our society and I think it’s very very good for women and I’m very happy.”

Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka is among those who have condemned Mr Moore.

She said last week: “I've yet to see a valid explanation and I have no reason to doubt the victims.”