I’ve behaved badly, admits Arnie after ‘groping’ claims

ARNOLD Schwarzenegger last night denied groping women but admitted: “I have behaved badly sometimes”.

The Terminator star, favourite to become California governor, apologised if he had ever offended anyone with his "playful behaviour".

His comments came after renewed allegations of improper conduct towards women were published in the Los Angeles Times. The claims included an allegation he once groped LWT presenter Anna Richardson, as well as five other women over the last three decades.

Speaking to supporters on the campaign trail in California last night, Mr Schwarzenegger described the reports as "trash politics" and, referring to the allegations, he said: "This is not true".

He went on: "But at the same time I have to tell you I always say wherever there is smoke there is fire. And what I want to say to you is that, yes, I have behaved badly sometimes," he said.

"I was on rowdy movie sets and I have done things that at the time I thought were playful but now I recognise I have offended people.

"And to those people who I have offended I want to say to them, I am deeply sorry about that and I apologise," he added.

Mr Schwarzenegger has also been accused of groping Chicago star Denise van Outen

The movie star turned politician is expected to be chosen by Californians to replace current Democrat governor Gray Davis next Tuesday.

Polls indicate Mr Davis will be thrown out of office by voters for his mismanagement of the state economy, which is hit by a massive budget deficit.

But, just five days before the vote, the LA Times the most influential newspaper in the state repeated the claims made by Ms Richardson and carried allegations by five other women. Mr Schwarzenegger's spokesman Sean Walsh said the claims were politically motivated.

"We believe Democrats and others are using this to try to hurt Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign," he said.