Australian governor general Mr Peter Hollingworth revealed today he faced rape allegations dating back to the 1960s.
Mr Hollingworth, the British monarchy's representative in Australia, denied the rape allegations in a televised address hours after it emerged that he had obtained a court order suppressing details of the case.
"I did not know this woman. I did not rape her," Mr Hollingworth declared, saying he must have been a victim of mistaken identity.
The case came to light after the Labour opposition revealed early today that Mr Hollingworth's lawyers obtained a suppression order earlier this year to stop the allegations being aired publicly.
Within hours, Mr Hollingworth's lawyers asked for the gag order to be lifted so he could make a public statement on the matter.
The surprise admission immediately fuelled new demands that Mr Hollingworth resign from his position as Australia's ceremonial head of state.
"The damage that is being done to the office of the Australian governor general means Peter Hollingworth must resign," said Senator Mr Andrew Bartlett, head of the opposition Democrats party.
AFP