A second woman has come forward with claims of sexual misconduct against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh – allegations Mr Kavanaugh has called a "smear".

This allegation dates back to the 1983-84 academic year, Mr Kavanaugh's first at Yale University, according to The New Yorker.

The accuser, 53-year-old Deborah Ramirez, described the incident in an interview with the magazine, which contacted her after learning of her possible involvement in an incident with Mr Kavanaugh.

Ms Ramirez recalled that Mr Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a drunken dormitory party, the magazine reported.

Mr Kavanaugh, a District of Columbia appeals judge nominated by US President Donald Trump, denies the claims.

In a statement provided by the White House, he said the event "did not happen" and that the allegation was "a smear, plain and simple".

A White House spokeswoman added in a second statement that the allegation was "designed to tear down a good man".

Image: Christine Blasey Ford bwas the first to accuse Mr Kavanaugh. Pic: Researchgate.org

The magazine reported that Ms Ramirez was reluctant at first to speak publicly "partly because her memories contained gaps because she had been drinking at the time of the alleged incident".

She also acknowledged reluctance "to characterise Kavanaugh's role in the alleged incident with certainty".

The magazine reported that after "six days of carefully assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney, Ramirez said that she felt confident enough of her recollections" to recall the incident.

The Associated Press tried reaching Ms Ramirez at her home in Boulder, Colorado, but she had posted a sign on her front door saying she has no comment.

The new claims come amid allegations by university professor Christine Blasey Ford that Mr Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers.

Dr Ford is due to give evidence to Congress on Thursday.

She claims the judge pinned her to a bed, placed his hand over her mouth, tried to remove her clothes and molested her at a high school party in Maryland in 1982 – claims Mr Kavanaugh denies.

Mr Trump has cast doubt on the sexual assault allegations made against Mr Kavanaugh, tweeting on Friday: "I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local law enforcement authorities by either her or her loving parents."

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The fresh allegation by Ms Ramirez has fuelled calls from Democrats to postpone further action on Mr Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

Republicans have been pressing for a swift hearing and a vote.

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