Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has addressed sexual misconduct allegations from a music festival he attended 18 years ago. Trudeau said he does not recall any "negative interactions" on the day in question.

The Canadian prime minister who has positioned himself as the champion of rights for women was asked on Sunday to comment on allegations that he had groped a journalist during a music festival in the western city of Creston, British Columbia in 2000.

He was speaking to reporters in the central city of Regina on Canada's national day. "I remember that day in Creston well, it was an Avalanche Foundation event to support avalanche safety," he said.

"I had a good day that day," he added. "I don't remember any negative interactions that day at all." Trudeau became involved with the charity after his younger brother Michel died during an avalanche in 1998.

A few days after the festival, an unsigned editorial appeared in the Creston Valley Advance which alleged Trudeau, who was 28-years-old at the time and not involved in politics, accusing him of "groping" a young female reporter. He had allegedly apologized to the reporter in question.

It also quoted him as saying "I would not have been so forward" had he known she was a reporter.

The editorial and its allegations have resurfaced after a blogger posted an image of the old article on Twitter in June.

CBC News established contact with the woman who was the subject of the editorial, who reportedly said she did not want to be associated with the story, contacted about it in future or have her name used in connection with it.

CBC spoke to Valerie Bourne, the publisher of the paper at the time, and the paper's then-editor, Brian Bell, both of whom believe the reporter's version of events. Neither of the duo authored the piece, with Bourne telling the Canadian news service she believes the young reporter wrote the editorial herself.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 03, 2018 09:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).