A second woman has accused former US vice president Joe Biden of acting inappropriately towards women, heightening tensions over the 76-year-old’s potential 2020 presidential run. 

Former Democratic congressional aide Amy Lappos has described how she thought Mr Biden was going to try to kiss her at a private fundraising event in 2009, but “rubbed noses” with her instead.

Ms Lappos told the Associated Press Mr Biden had just finished delivering a speech thanking staff for helping out at the event, when he moved towards her.

“He wrapped both his hands around my face and pulled me in,” she said.

“I thought, ‘Oh God, he’s going to kiss me.’ Instead, he rubbed noses with me.”

The latest accusation followed an essay published on Friday by former Nevada assemblywoman Lucy Flores, which said Mr Biden had planted a “big slow kiss” on the back of her head during a campaign rally in 2014.

“He was there to promote me as the right person for the lieutenant governor job,” Ms Flores wrote.

“Instead, he made me feel uneasy, gross and confused.”

Mr Biden, who is known for being tactile, released a statement highlighting his offer of “countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort” during his public life, but that he did not believe it crossed into anything inappropriate.

“Not once – never – did I believe I acted inappropriately,” he said.

“If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention.”

Stephanie Carter, the wife of former US defence secretary Ash Carter, defended Mr Biden after a picture showing the 76-year-old holding her shoulders recently went viral.

Maintaining that the picture, a video still, was taken out of context, Mrs Carter said it showed nothing more than a still from “a longer moment between close friends.”

“The Joe Biden in my picture is a close friend helping someone get through a big day, for which I will always be grateful,” she wrote, adding that she also supported Ms Flores’ right to “speak her truth” and be believed.

Mr Biden’s spokesperson criticised right-wing trolls on Monday for taking misleading content from the “dark recesses of the internet” and using it to “exploit them for their own gain.”

A number of high-profile figures and former colleagues have come out in support of Mr Biden, amid concern of his historical conduct toward women.

Susan Rice, the former national security adviser to former US president Barack Obama, said on Twitter that Mr Biden was “one of the most decent, honourable men” she had worked with.

“In my experience, he is warm and affectionate with women (and men),” she said.

“But I have never found his actions inappropriate or uncomfortable. I have always appreciated his kindness and warmth.”

American journalist and daughter of late Republican senator John McCain said she found Biden to be “one of the truly decent and compassionate men in all of American politics”.

Meghan McCain said: “He has helped me through my father’s diagnosis, treatment and ultimate passing more than anyone of my father’s friends combined.”

“I wish there was more empathy from our politicians, not less.”

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