Brett Kavanaugh - Third accuser comes forward alleging Supreme Court nominee was present for 'gang rape'

Judge has adamantly denies the allegations - 'This is ridiculous and from the twilight zone'

Brett Kavanaugh denies assault allegations in interview

The future of Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court after a third woman came forward to make accusations of sexual assault or misconduct at Brett Kavanaugh.

Julie Swetnick said in a sworn statement sent to the Senate Judiciary Committtee, she said at a number of parties in the 1980s, she witnessed efforts by Mr Kavanaugh and Mark Judge to get teenage girls “inebriated and disoriented so they could then be “gang raped” in a side room or bedroom by “a train of numerous boys”.

“I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their 'turn' with a girl inside the room,” she said in the statement.

Both Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Judge have denied the claims

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Key Points

* Third woman comes forward to level accusations at Brett Kavanaugh

[26 September 2018 18:16 · Chris Stevenson]

Good afternoon from Capitol Hill in Washington DC, where the city is abuzz with the latest drama surrounding the confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh, Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court.

[26 September 2018 18:26 · Chris Stevenson]

Barely 24 hours before the Senate Judiciary Committee was to hear testimony from Mr Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, a woman who has accused him of trying to forcibly remove her clothes at a high school party three decades ago - claims he denies - a third woman stepped forward with new claims.

[26 September 2018 18:27 · Chris Stevenson]

Lawyer Michael Avanatti posted on Twitter details of an affidavit signed by Ms Swetnick.

[26 September 2018 18:28 · Chris Stevenson]

He also posted a photograph of the woman: 

[26 September 2018 18:32 · Chris Stevenson]

Here is our latest story on the topic:

[26 September 2018 18:37 · Chris Stevenson]

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday morning, Ms Ford revealed she had produced for the senate committee, sworn testimonies from four people - one of them her husband - saying that she had talked about the alleged assault several years ago.

[26 September 2018 18:40 · Chris Stevenson]

Mr Kavanaugh's lawyer, Beth Wilkinson, is currently talking on CNN about the latest allegations made of her client.

"He is outraged. He does not know this woman," she said. Of Mr Avenatti's decision to reveal the the accusations the day before the committee was to hear from Mr Kavanaugh: "Any lawyer worth their salt would talk these allegations straight to the police."

[26 September 2018 18:44 · Chris Stevenson]

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has said that Thursday's hearing with Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford would go forward as planned even as new allegations surfaced the nominee.

Mr Grassley, an Iowa Republican, told reporters on Wednesday that while they are investigating the new allegation, there will not be a delay of the prescheduled hearing, saying “tomorrow is very important”.

[26 September 2018 18:48 · Chris Stevenson]

Now, Mr Avenatti is hitting back at Mr Trump - on Twitter, of course:

[26 September 2018 19:05 · Chris Stevenson]

In New York, at a joint appearance with Japan's prime minister, Shinzō Abe, Mr Trump said Mr Avenatti was a low-life. He said it was unfathomable that people were coming forward with allegations at this point. He said he though Mr Kavanaugh would survive the storm of controversy and serve on the court for a "very long time". He attacked Democrats for failing to raise the issue earlier. "The good thing is the public is very smart".