Doug Emhoff’s former girlfriend alleges he slapped her during argument in 2012

Spokesperson for second gentleman denies claim from woman who says he struck her at the Cannes film festival

A woman has alleged that Doug Emhoff slapped her during an argument when they were a couple in 2012, before he married Kamala Harris, and the accusation has prompted a spokesperson for the second gentleman to issue a denial.

The woman has not publicly identified herself. She first spoke to the Daily Mail anonymously and then again after Emhoff's denial, on the condition that her name was not disclosed. The tabloid described her as a successful lawyer in New York and published pictures of the then couple, but with her face blurred out.