In his first public appearance since The Seattle Times published allegations on Thursday, Mayor Ed Murray this afternoon denied paying a drug addicted minor for sex decades ago. In his lawyer’s office downtown, Murray read to reporters a statement lasting less than two minutes in which he denied the allegations against him, expressed sympathy for his accuser, and said he will not step down from office or from his current re-election campaign.

Here’s the complete statement:

“Good afternoon. To be on the receiving end of such untrue allegations is very painful for me, is painful for my husband, and for those who are close to us. I understand that the individual making these accusations is troubled and that makes me sad as well. But let me be clear. These allegations, dating back to a period of more than thirty years, are simply not true. Things have never come easy to me in life, but I have never backed down, and I will not back down now. I will continue to be mayor of this city, I will continue to run for reelection, and I plan to lead this city as we work our way through the wind and rainstorm this weekend as well as the many challenges we face going forward. I really would like to take your questions, and I think you all know that. I enjoy taking your questions, more than sometimes my staff likes. But this is now a legal matter that is in the courts, and that’s where the questions must be addressed. So at this time I have no further comment. Thank you very much.”

And here’s video of the statement:

cjaywork@seattleweekly.com