Sean Spicer accused by black man of calling him the N-word and trying to fight him while at school together

Former White House press secretary heckled during book signing tour

Sean Spicer signing a copy of his new book at an earlier event in Washington DC (Getty)

A black man has accused Sean Spicer of calling him the N-word when they were students at school together.

Mr Spicer was at a signing on Friday to promote his new book reflecting on his time as White House press secretary for Donald Trump when an audience member accused the 46-year-old of using the racial slur.

Alex Lombard, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, also accused Mr Spicer of trying to fight him when they were pupils at Rhode Island prep school Portsmouth Abbey.

Mr Spicer appeared to recognise Mr Lombard at the signing in Middletown. He initially waved to him and said before the confrontation, "Hey, yeah, how are you?"

A security guard led Mr Lombard away.

A video which captured the incident did not show how Mr Spicer reacted to being accused of using the racial slur.

The heckler said 'The Briefing' is a 'garbage book' and told Sean Spicer he was 'lying in [his] book' (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

A spokesperson for Mr Spicer was contacted for comment.

It came just two days after Mr Spicer was heckled and called a “real piece of garbage” while promoting his book in New York City.

The heckler could be heard telling Mr Spicer he “lied as press secretary” and is now “lying in [his] book”, The Briefing, which came out on Tuesday.

In footage sent to ThinkProgress, the man, who has requested anonymity, said: “Hey Sean, you’re a real piece of garbage and I hope you look around and you see all these empty seats.

“And you realise even in New York City, people will not come and pay money to hear you speak.”

His heckle was met by uproar among the audience and he was escorted from the Barnes & Noble store.