Who has called for Governor Cuomo's resignation and why?
There have been a series of calls for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign, saying he had 'lost the confidence' of New Yorkers due to allegations of sexual misconduct.
US Democratic senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand were the latest high profile politicians to step forward and call on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign, saying he had "lost the confidence" of New Yorkers due to allegations of sexual misconduct.
The latest calls come after Democratic Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jerry Nadler and several other New York political leaders earlier joined calls for Cuomo to resign after a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him in recent weeks.
The statements by leading Democratic U.S. representatives came a day after the New York state legislature announced it would review accusations made by six women against Cuomo. They cast an ominous shadow over the political future of the Democratic governor, who gained national prominence for his leadership during the peak of his state's covid-19 crisis.
Cuomo, 63, has denied all allegations by the women, most of whom are former aides. He has said he never touched anyone inappropriately and has apologized if his behaviour ever made people feel uncomfortable.
The most recent accuser is an unidentified aide who told The Times-Union newspaper on Tuesday that Cuomo had groped her after calling her to the executive mansion last year under the pretext of business.
"This week, the second sexual assault allegation and the sixth harassment allegation was leveled against Governor Cuomo," Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, a congressman from New York, said in a statement.
Consistent allegations
"The fact that this latest report was so recent is alarming, and it raises concerns about the present safety and well-being of the administration's staff. These allegations have all been consistent and highly-detailed, and there are also credible media reports substantiating their accounts."
At least 14 of the 27 members of New York's U.S. congressional delegation have called on Cuomo to step down. A House aide told Reuters there was no formal, coordinated effort within the delegation, which includes 19 Democrats, to pressure Cuomo.
Cuomo has said he will not resign, and he has asked the public to await the results of an ongoing investigation led by the state Attorney General Letitia James' office before making judgment.
The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest calls for his resignation, and Cuomo did not have any public appearances scheduled for Friday.
On Thursday, more than 55 Democratic New York legislators signed a letter calling for Cuomo's resignation.
"Unfortunately what we're seeing here is a pattern of cover up, a pattern of lies. It is unacceptable, the governor must resign," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a longtime political rival, told reporters on Friday. "He can no longer do the job."