George H.W. Bush apologizes after an actress accuses him of sexual assault in a #MeToo post on Instagram

Actress Heather Lind accused former President George H.W. Bush of touching her "from behind."
A spokesman apologized on Bush's behalf, saying it was an "attempt at humor."
The Instagram post in which Lind accused the former president of sexual assault, using the hashtag #MeToo, has been deleted.

Former US President George H.W. Bush has apologized to the American actress Heather Lind after she accused him of sexual assault in a now deleted Instagram post.

Lind, who starred in the AMC series "Turn: Washington's Spies," wrote that the former US president "touched me from behind" repeatedly at a press event in March 2014.

She did not offer any more details but said that, in her view, Bush had "sexually assaulted" her, taking advantage of the power of his former office to do so. A photograph of the moment Lind describes can be seen here.

A spokesman for the former president apologized and described the interaction as an "attempt at humor."

Lind tagged the post with the "#metoo" hashtag, which women have used after accusations against the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein to tell stories of inappropriate sexual behavior by men.

She speculated that "countless" other women had experienced similar things and said the former first lady Barbara Bush seemed aware of what was going on and "rolled her eyes."

She said a security guard blamed her for standing too close to Bush. Lind's post has since been deleted, but it is reproduced in full below.

Reporters from DailyMail.com put the accusation to a spokesman for Bush, who apologized on his behalf. The statement 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."

Lind wrote that her post was prompted by seeing Bush onstage at a fundraising event for victims of the hurricanes, which have recently struck the US mainland and territories like Puerto Rico.

She said the image of Bush being lauded for his charitable work "disturbed" her and compelled her to speak out. It is not clear why the post was deleted.

Nick Westrate‏, Lind's "Turned" costar, praised her for speaking out:

Could not be prouder of @he... @ Nick Westrate

Here is Linds post in full:

"I was disturbed today by a photo I saw of President Barack Obama shaking hands with George H. W. Bush in a gathering of ex-presidents organizing aid to states and territories damaged by recent hurricanes.

"I found it disturbing because I recognize the respect ex-presidents are given for having served. 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.

"He didn't shake my hand. He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke. And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again.

"Barbara rolled her eyes as if to say "not again". His security guard told me I shouldn't have stood next to him for the photo. We were instructed to call him Mr. President.

"It seems to me a President's power is in his or her capacity to enact positive change, actually help people, and serve as a symbol of our democracy. He relinquished that power when he used it against me and, judging from the comments of those around him, countless other women before me.

"What comforts me is that I too can use my power, which isn't so different from a President really. I can enact positive change. I can actually help people. I can be a symbol of my democracy. I can refuse to call him President, and call out other abuses of power when I see them.

"I can vote for a President, in part, by the nature of his or her character, knowing that his or her political decisions must necessarily stem from that character.

"My fellow cast-mates and producers helped me that day and continue to support me. I am grateful for the bravery of other women who have spoken up and written about their experiences.

"And I thank President Barack Obama for the gesture of respect he made toward George H. W. Bush for the sake of our country, but I do not respect him. #metoo"