New York attorney general seeks to investigate Cuomo sexual harassment claims

Letitia James backs calls from congressional Democrats as governor apologises if conduct misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation'

The crisis enveloping New York governor Andrew Cuomo deepened on Sunday evening as the state's attorney general demanded he grant her the authority to investigate claims he sexually harassed at least two women who worked for him - and the governor admitted his behaviour may have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation" and offered a qualified apology.

Democrats statewide appeared to be abandoning Cuomo in large numbers.