Anthony Weiner admitted sending photos “of an explicit nature” to several women Senior US Democrats have called for the resignation of a New York congressman who admitted sending lewd photos of himself to women.
National party chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Anthony Weiner’s behaviour was “indefensible”.
Mr Weiner has admitted “inappropriate” communications including sending a photo of his crotch to an admirer.
He has been regarded as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a strong candidate for New York mayor in 2013.
Mr Weiner has previously said he will not resign over the scandal.
Ms Wasserman Schultz said the “sordid affair” had become an “unacceptable distraction”.
“It is with great disappointment that I call on Representative Anthony Weiner to resign,” she said in a statement.
“The behaviour he has exhibited is indefensible and Representative Weiner’s continued service in Congress is untenable.”
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, said Mr Weiner had recognised that he “needs help”.
“I urge Congressman Weiner to seek that help without the pressures of being a member of Congress,” she said.
Congressman Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, also called for Mr Weiner to go, saying: “With a heavy heart, I call on Anthony to resign.”
Mr Weiner, who is married, originally claimed that someone had hacked into his Twitter account to post a photo of a man’s crotch in grey underpants.
However, he later admitted to online flirtations in an emotional press conference.
He said he had exchanged messages and photos “of an explicit nature” with about six women over three years.
On Friday he acknowledged that he had made online contact with a 17-year-old girl but said nothing inappropriate had taken place.
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