Image copyright AFP Image caption Nancy Pelosi: "People's space is important"

Allegations former Vice-President Joe Biden touched women inappropriately should not disqualify him from running for president, top Democrat Nancy Pelosi has said.

But he needs to understand that "people's space is important", the House of Representatives Speaker added.

Four women have levelled accusations as Mr Biden ponders a run for the White House in 2020.

Mr Biden has said he does not believe he has ever acted inappropriately.

What are the allegations?

The latest came from Caitlyn Caruso, a 22-year-old former college student, and 59-year-old writer DJ Hill, the New York Times reports.

Ms Caruso said that at an event three years ago Mr Biden rested his hand on her thigh "even as she squirmed in her seat to show her discomfort", the newspaper reports.

Ms Caruso also said Mr Biden hugged her "just a little bit too long".

Meanwhile, Mrs Hill said that at a fundraising event in 2012 Mr Biden put his hand on her shoulder and then started dropping it down her back, which made her "very uncomfortable", according to the New York Times.

Mrs Hill also said her husband, who was nearby, then had to interfere.

On Monday Amy Lappos, a 43-year-old former aide to a Democratic congressman, said Mr Biden touched her inappropriately at a fundraiser in the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, in 2009.

She told the Hartford Courant the then vice-president entered the kitchen to thank a group of aides, before wrapping both hands around her face and pulling her in to rub noses.

Ms Lappos called on Mr Biden not to run for the White House, saying: "Uninvited affection is not okay. Objectifying women is not okay."

Last week, Lucy Flores said Mr Biden had placed two hands on her shoulders from behind, smelled her hair then planted "a big slow kiss on the back of my head" at a campaign event.

That was when she was running as the Democratic candidate for Nevada's lieutenant governor in 2014.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Lucy Flores alleged and unwanted kiss on the back of the head

Mr Biden had flown in to support her bid and the incident is alleged to have happened as she prepared to go on stage.

Ms Flores, too, has said - in an interview with the Huffington Post - that such behaviour is "disqualifying" for a presidential run.

Her allegations first appeared on Friday in an article she wrote for The Cut magazine.

'Pretend you have a cold'

Nancy Pelosi, who leads Democrats in the House, made her views known to Politico.

"I don't think it's disqualifying," she said of his as yet unannounced presidential bid.

But she added: "He has to understand in the world that we're in now that people's space is important to them, and what's important is how they receive it and not necessarily how you intended it."

"Join the straight-arm club," she said, suggesting that he keep to handshakes only.

"Just pretend you have a cold and I have a cold," Ms Pelosi added.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat who has declared she will try for the nomination, said Mr Biden "needs to give an answer".

Another leading Democratic Party presidential contender, Senator Amy Klobuchar said that in politics "people raise issues and they have to address them".

Support for Mr Biden was voiced by Cynthia Hogan, a former aide to the vice-president, who told the New York Times that he "treated us with respect and insisted that others do the same".

An ally of Mr Biden told CNN the former vice-president was not reconsidering any run for the White House following the allegations but stressed he had yet to make a decision.

How has Mr Biden responded?

The former Delaware senator, who served as Barack Obama's vice-president from 2009 to 2017, is seen as a possible front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination.

He issued a statement on Sunday, saying: "In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once - never - did I believe I acted inappropriately."

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Has Mr Biden publicly announced his presidential bid?

"But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will," he added.

Mr Biden and President Obama were known for their close friendship, often seen playing golf and attending sports events together. Mr Biden even said that Mr Obama offered him financial help when his son was ill.

For his vice-president's birthday in 2017, Mr Obama posted a photo of the two of them on Twitter, writing that Mr Biden was his "brother and the best vice-president anybody could have".

On Monday, a spokesman for Mr Biden accused "right wing trolls" of presenting harmless images of the former vice-president interacting with women over the years as evidence of inappropriate touching.

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