George H.W. Bush apologises after actress accuses him of sexual assault

President George H.W. Bush has apologised to an actress who accused him of 'sexually assaulting' her during a photo opportunity with his wife Barbara Bush standing by his side.

Heather Lind, 34, who starred in AMC's series Turn: Washington's Spies made the allegations against the 93-year-old in a lengthy (and now deleted) Instagram post on Wednesday.

The actress said after seeing a photo of the former president shaking hands with Barack Obama at the One America Appeal hurricane relief concert, it prompted her to share her own experience.  

"I found it disturbing because I recognize the respect ex-presidents are given for having served," she wrote. "And I feel pride and reverence toward many of the men in the photo.

"But when I got the chance to meet George H. W. Bush four years ago to promote a historical television show I was working on, he sexually assaulted me while I was posing for a similar photo."

According to Heather, the wheelchair-bound former president touched her from behind and told her a dirty joke, all while being photographed. In her account, she claims Barbara Bush "rolled her eyes as if to say ‘Not again’."

Afterwards, she explained, "[Bush's] security guard told me I shouldn’t have stood next to him for the photo."

In a statement to the New York Daily News, Bush’s spokesperson said, "President Bush would never — under any circumstance — intentionally cause anyone distress, and he most sincerely apologizes if his attempt at humor offended Ms. Lind."

Heather's accusations come amidst a wave of other reports of sexual abuse and misconduct following the Harvey Weinstein scandal.