Congressman Todd Akin asks 'forgiveness' for rape remarks

Embattled Congressman Todd Akin, who has caused uproar by saying women's bodies could prevent pregnancy in cases of "legitimate rape", is asking for forgiveness in a new video.

The clip was an apparent last-ditch attempt to make amends with voters and fellow Republicans who are demanding the beleaguered Senate candidate for Missouri quit.

If he is to pull out, Mr Akin must do so by Tuesday under a Missouri law that allows candidates to drop out 11 weeks before polling day.

He has until 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) to withdraw from the race.

Correspondents say Republicans fear the backlash over Mr Akin's gaffe could endanger their hopes of winning control of the US Senate in November's elections.

Todd Akin on "legitimate rape" - Video courtesy FOX 2 KTVI

Last week the sixth-term congressman had a comfortable lead in opinion polls over incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill in the Midwestern state of Missouri, which has leaned increasingly conservative in recent years.

Then on Sunday, Mr Akin was asked by local news station KTVI-TV about his no-exceptions view on abortion.

The 65-year-old congressman said: "It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that is really rare.

"If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."

Mr Akin took to the airwaves on two conservative radio shows on Monday in an attempt to defuse the furore, and resisted calls from prominent Republicans to drop out of the race.

And in a face-to-face video message on Tuesday, Mr Akin said: "Rape is an evil act. I used the wrong words in the wrong way, and for that I apologise.

"Fact is, rape can lead to pregnancy. The truth is, rape has many victims. The mistake I made was in the words I said, not in the heart I hold. I ask for your forgiveness."

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan quickly distanced their campaign from Mr Akin's views.

Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, said Mr Akin's remarks might "prevent him from effectively representing" the party.

He said Mr Akin should "take time with his family" to consider whether he should continue in the Missouri Senate race.

The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee reportedly told Mr Akin that $5m (£3.2m) in advertising set aside for Missouri would now be spent elsewhere.

The Karl Rove-backed Crossroads organisation also pulled its ads from Missouri.

President Barack Obama also hit out at Mr Akin on Monday, saying "rape is rape".

But Senator McCaskill, whose campaign appears reinvigorated by the fallout from her Republican challenger's remarks, did not join calls for him to stand aside.