Police reopen probe into Al Gore allegations

US police said they reopened an investigation into a massage therapist's allegations that former Vice President Al Gore groped her at an upscale hotel in 2006.

In a brief statement, the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon did not say why it reopened the investigation. Police earlier said they considered the case closed because there was no evidence.

Kalee Kreider, a spokeswoman for Mr Gore, said the former vice president "unequivocally and emphatically" denied making unwanted sexual advances toward the woman and that he welcomed the investigation.

"Further investigation into this matter will only benefit Mr Gore," Ms Kreider said.

She also said "the Gores cannot comment on every defamatory, misleading and inaccurate story generated by tabloids".

The masseuse alleges Mr Gore made unwanted sexual advances during a massage appointment on October 24, 2006, at the downtown Hotel Lucia, where Mr Gore was reportedly registered as Mr Stone. Mr Gore was in Portland to deliver a speech on climate change.

The story first broke when the National Enquirer reported the allegations a week ago.

Portland police last week said the woman's lawyer came to them with the allegations in 2006 but that the woman cancelled appointments with detectives.

The case reopened in January 2009, when detectives interviewed the woman but determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations.