Joe Biden is expected to make his first public comments later over claims he sexually assaulted a woman.

The former vice president will appear on Friday’s Morning Joe show on the MSNBC news channel.

The Democrats’ likely candidate to take on Donald Trump in November’s election has not publicly spoken about the allegation, but his campaign put out a statement last month denying it.

Former Senate worker Tara Reade has accused Mr Biden of pinning her against a wall, reaching under her skirt and assaulting her in the basement of an office in 1993.

Pressure on Mr Biden mounted this week after two people said Ms Reade had previously told them about part of her allegation.

The 77-year-old has not been questioned by the media on the claim, but that looks set to change when he appears on the television programme.

MSNBC tweeted that Mr Biden would “respond for the first time to the recent allegation of sexual assault”.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that she still backed Mr Biden.

“I have complete respect for the whole #MeToo movement,” the fellow Democrat said.

“There is also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden. He is the personification of hope and optimism and authenticity for our country – a person of great values.”

She said those running Mr Biden’s Senate office at the time had no recollection of any complaint and that he had a long history of backing policies to protect women.

Other Democrats have been forthright in saying the claims are harming Mr Biden and that he should publicly address them.

“The campaign has issued statements, but he hasn’t issued any statements in his own voice,” said former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile.

“It’s not helping, it’s just damaging – not only to the person who has come forward, but it’s also damaging the candidate.”

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