Seal investigated over sexual battery allegations

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that it is investigating claims against singer Seal of sexual battery.

He has “vehemently” denied the allegations through a statement.

It added, “He intends to vigorously defend himself against these false allegations.”

The claims were made by a former neighbour of his in Malibu, identified as actress Tracey Birdsall (Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter) by TMZ.

Police said they were called to an estate in Verde Mesa Lane on the weekend over a “neighbourhood disturbance.”

But after arriving, they realised there was no disturbance and that the crime being reported had taken place in November 2016.

Birdsall told TMZ she and Seal had been friends at the time, and she had gone to his house to retrieve a salad spinner she had loaned him.

In the kitchen, the 54-year old father of four had started to forcibly grope and kiss her. After she shouted, “What are you doing?”, he allegedly replied, “I’m kissing you.”

He had said that the fact she was wearing a tank top and shorts gave him cause to molest her

Birdsall said she has not been in contact since.

But she felt compelled to report the alleged incident after Seal posted a video on his Facebook page encouraging women to speak out against sexual misconduct with the hashtag #TellTheTruth.

The video went online on January 11, after Oprah Winfrey’s acclaimed speech at the Golden Globes.

It seemingly criticised Winfrey for her association with former film producer Harvey Weinstein.

That brought a torrent of criticism on him, and he responded that he had “an enormous amount of respect for everything that Oprah has achieved and contributed in her life.

“She just happened to be the person photographed with the pig (Weinstein) in the picture.

“No, what I reposted was commentary on the hypocritical and double-standard nature and behavior of Hollywood.”

* Radio Todayreported that the board of 2CA Canberra sacked breakfast presenter Frank Vincent after a sexual harassment allegation was levelled against him. Vincent has strenuously denied the claims and said to be consulting a lawyer.