Kavanaugh-Ford hearing underway with Senate Judiciary Committee

The US Senate Judiciary Committee has begun its historic hearing in which Brett Kavanaugh hopes to salvage his Supreme Court nomination by fending off allegations by Christine Blasey Ford that he molested her when both were in high school.

Mr Kavanaugh and Ms Ford are the only witnesses invited to give evidence before the panel of 11 Republicans – all men – and 10 Democrats.

Committee chairman Chuck Grassley opened the hearing with an apology to both Mr Kavanaugh and his accuser for the way they have been treated, saying they and their families have received “vile threats”.

The Republican promised a “safe, comfortable and dignified” atmosphere as his committee hears from both.

It will hear first from Ms Ford, a California psychology professor who accuses him of attempting to rape her when they were teenagers.

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