Senator Bernie Sanders has withdrawn his endorsement of Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, after a further alleged victim came forward with sexual assault allegations against him. The reversal is a notable one for the veteran progressive, and it followed a day of mounting pressure as a growing number of Democrats distanced themselves from the embattled candidate.

The move came a day after Senator John Fetterman publicly criticised Sanders on Fox News for having backed Platner. In an interview with Laura Ingraham, Fetterman said his thoughts were with the woman who had come forward, praised her courage, and called on Sanders to apologise to the alleged victims, using inflammatory language and describing Platner as a "predator". In a statement on Tuesday morning, Sanders said he had spoken with Platner and recommended that he step aside in light of the "very serious allegations". Sanders's office did not respond to the Daily Mail.