Al Franken calls for ethics probe into allegations he forcibly kissed, groped radio host in 2006

“I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate,” Franken said in a statement.

Tweeden, a former sports commentator, accused Franken of kissing her against her will while the two were practicing for a skit during a USO tour in the Middle East more than a decade ago. Tweeden also said Franken, a comedian, groped her on a plane. A photo appears to show a smiling Franken with his hands on Tweeden’s breasts while she is sleeping.

Tweeden said the photo was taken on a flight from Afghanistan at the end of the tour.

Franken was working as a comedian at the time and wasn’t elected senator until 2008.

The Democratic senator offered apologies to Tweeden, those who participated in the 2006 USO tour, those who have worked for him, his constituents, and “everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women.”

“I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t,” Franken said. “And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”

The senator said while he intended for the photo of him and Tweeden to be a joke, he now feels “disgusted” with himself when looking at it and understands why Tweeden would “feel violated” by the photo.

“Coming from the world of comedy, I’ve told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive,” he said. “But the intentions behind my actions aren’t the point at all. It’s the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come to terms with that.”

Franken also said he doesn’t recall practicing for the skit, during which he allegedly forced his tongue in Tweeden’s mouth, but said he understands “why we need to listen to and believe women’s experiences.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said earlier Thursday the Senate Ethics Committee should probe the allegations against Franken.