US President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court says he will not pull out because of “false accusations”.
Brett Kavanaugh rejected allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him by two women, telling Fox News he had “never sexually assaulted anyone”.
The judge and one of his accusers are due to testify publicly on Thursday.
Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation would tilt the US top court in favour of conservatives for years to come, marking a major victory for Mr Trump.
His first accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, will give evidence to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, followed by rebuttal testimony from Judge Kavanaugh.
She alleges he drunkenly tried to remove her clothing, pinned her to a bed and covered her mouth at a high school party when she was 15 and he was 17.
And on Sunday, a former Yale University classmate said Mr Kavanaugh once exposed himself to her at a party.
