BREAKING: McAuliffe Says Sexual Assault Allegations Against Fairfax Are Credible - And He Must Resign (UPDATED)

In a tweet late this afternoon, former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe weighed in on the sexual assault allegations against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax:

The allegations against Justin Fairfax are serious and credible. It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor. I call for his immediate resignation.

The allegations against Justin Fairfax are serious and credible. It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor. I call for his immediate resignation.

— Terry McAuliffe (@TerryMcAuliffe) February 8, 2019

McAuliffe is the first high-profile Democrat to call for Fairfax’s resignation after allegations of sexual assault were first reported earlier this week.

Fairfax has denied any wrongdoing in that case but his accuser, Dr. Vanessa Tyson, has stuck by her story.

Earlier this afternoon, news broke of a second allegation of sexual assault against Fairfax. Here’s a transcript of the statement issued by the accuser’s legal team, via Red State‘s Jennifer Van Laar:

“We serve as counsel for Meredith Watson, who was raped by Justin Fairfax in 2000, while they were both students at Duke University. Mr. Fairfax’s attack was premeditated and aggressive. The two were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship.

“Mrs. Watson shared her account of the rape with friends in a series of emails and Facebook messages that are now in our possession. Additionally, we have statements from former classmates corroborating that Ms. Watson immediately told friends that Mr. Fairfax had raped her.

“Ms. Watson was upset to learn that Mr. Fairfax raped at least one other woman after he attacked her. The details of Ms. Watson’s attack are similar to those described by Dr. Vanessa Tyson.

“At this time, Ms. Watson is reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character. She has no interest in becoming a media personality or reliving the trauma that has greatly affected her life. Similarly, she is not seeking any financial damages.

“On behalf of our client, we have notified Justin Fairfax through his attorneys that Ms. Watson hopes he will resign from public office.

“Nancy Erika Smith, Attorney for Meredith Watson.”

Stay tuned for more on this developing story.

6:15 PM UPDATE: Several Virginia Democratic state legislators have called on Fairfax to step down:

Joint statement with @RepSpanberger, @RepElaineLuria, @RepWexton, @GerryConnolly: pic.twitter.com/9nd8uijqDF

— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) February 8, 2019