Arnie shakes off sex claims to stay ahead in Governor race

MOVIE star Arnold Schwarzenegger was clinging to his lead last night in the California Governorship race despite a string of lurid sex claims in recent days.

A new poll yesterday showed that the Terminator star’s campaign had lost some momentum on the eve of the vote, but still placed him well in front of his closest rivals.

However, there were calls for the Republican action hero to explain himself as a growing number of women came forward to accuse him of being a serial groper. The current Governor, Democrat Gray Davis, said of the allegations: “Some of these events are clearly a crime.”

Schwarzenegger said he would fully address the claims by 15 women after the election. He also accused his opposition of dirty tricks.

He has already apologised for “offensive” behaviour towards some women, which he blamed on the culture of “rowdy movie sets”.

Speaking to NBC television, he said: “A lot of it is made-up stories. I’ve never grabbed anyone and pulled up the shirt and grabbed the breast and stuff like that.”

Schwarzenegger was wrapping up his campaign in the state capital Sacramento yesterday.

In the vote today, Californians will decide whether to throw out, or “recall” Mr Davis, who is accused of mismanaging the state budget.

On the same ballot, voters will then decide who they want as a replacement, and Schwarzenegger has consistently led in the polls.

The latest poll, while showing Arnie in the lead, suggested that the allegations including one by British TV presenter Anna Richardson may have dampened voters’ enthusiasm for him.

The election takes place in California later today.