Ex-Rep. Ford now accused

Former Congressman Harold Ford Jr. has been fired from Morgan Stanley over allegations of misconduct, including claims he manhandled a woman and then pestered her for dates, it was reported Thursday.

“He has been terminated for conduct inconsistent with our values and in violation of our policies,” a spokeswoman for the finance-services giant told the Huffington Post.

At least one woman participated in the company’s HR probe into the Tennessee Democrat, alleging that he forcefully grabbed her during a professional meeting in Manhattan one night several years ago, then repeatedly asked her out, the Web site reported.

The unidentified woman, who did not work at Morgan Stanley but had professional interactions with Ford, said she was forced to seek help from a building security guard.

The incident left her “distraught, shocked and frightened,” an acquaintance said.

Afterward, the accuser claimed, Ford repeatedly asked her out for drinks until she told him via e-mail to leave her alone.

Ford replied by apologizing and agreeing not to contact her, according to the Huffington Post.

Ford, married since 2010, angrily denied the claims and said he planned to sue both the HuffPost reporter who wrote the story and Morgan Stanley.

“This simply did not happen. I have never forcibly grabbed any woman or man in my life,” he said.

“I support and have tremendous respect for the brave women now speaking out in this important national dialogue.”

Ford began working as a managing director at Morgan Stanley in 2011. He also regularly appears on NBC and MSNBC.