John Conyers announces retirement amid sex harassment claims
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Michigan lawmaker John Conyers, who is facing claims that he sexually harassed his aides, has announced he will retire from the House of Representatives.
Last month the 88-year-old admitted to settling a wrongful dismissal complaint in 2015 with a former employee who accused him of harassment.
More women have since come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct but Mr Conyers denies any wrongdoing.
He said he will endorse his son, John Conyers III, to replace him.
"I am retiring today and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the support - incredible undiminished support I've received over the years," he told local Detroit radio host Mildred Gaddis on Tuesday.
"This too shall pass. And I want you to know that my legacy will continue through my children."
The announcement came a day after another woman who previously worked for the congressman accused him of groping her.
The allegation made by Elisa Grubbs, who worked for Mr Conyers for more than a decade, was revealed in a sworn legal statement released by her lawyer.
She said on Monday that the congressman has slid his hand up her skirt as the two sat in church together.
Mr Conyers has faced increasing pressure to resign after it was first revealed last month that he agreed to a settlement for a former employee who accused him of harassment. Mr Conyers acknowledged the 2015 payment of $27,000 (£20,000), but denied misconduct.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker Paul Ryan have both called on Mr Conyers to step aside.
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His former deputy chief of staff also came forward with claims that he had groped her and repeatedly propositioned her for sex.
Last month Mr Conyers stepped down from his post as the ranking member of the powerful House Judiciary Committee following the allegations. The House Ethics Committee has also launched an investigation into Mr Conyers.
Mr Conyers, who represents the Detroit area as a Democrat, first won election in 1964 after working as a civil rights campaigner.
He returned to his home district last week, where he checked himself into hospital for what family representatives said was a stress-related illness.
More than 100 supporters rallied at a church in Detroit on Monday to encourage Mr Conyers to resist calls from him to step down.
Politicians and community activists chanted "due process" and "no justice, no peace".
"John Conyers has spent over 50 years protecting the rights of everyone in this country," Wayne County Executive Warren Evans told the Detroit News.
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