Musician Maynard James Keenan has vehemently denied rape allegations made by an unnamed claimant that have been published online this week.
The Tool and A Perfect Circle frontman was accused by a Twitter user of having non-consensual sex with her on a tour bus in 2000, when he was aged 36 and she was 17.
Keenan released a statement on Twitter, calling the accusation "despicable".
"Many thanks to those of you who saw right through this despicable false claim that only does damage to the #metoo movement," he said.
"And shame on those of you who perpetuate this destructive clickbait."
Responding to commenters who criticised him not denying the allegations immediately, Keenan added: "As for my delayed but un-required response, I had my phone off. You should try it."
In a series of tweets, the alleged victim says Keenan singled her out from an audience by throwing a bottle of water "in her direction", before a female minder came and asked if she wanted to meet the band.
She says Keenan then took her onto a tour bus and put on the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, before raping her.
The Twitter user says other people have also claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Keenan, and has retweeted a few other accusations.
Newshub.
