Gore welcomes probe to calm grope claim storm

FORMER US vice president Al Gore welcomes a decision by police in Portland to reopen an investigation into a massage therapist’s allegations that he groped her at a hotel four years ago, according to a spokeswoman for the Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Kalee Kreider said Gore “unequivocally and emphatically” denied making unwanted sexual advances. She added that “further investigation into this matter will only benefit Mr Gore”.

“It’s now an open investigation and I can’t comment,” said police spokeswoman Mary Wheat.