Craig argued innocence with police officer

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, argued his innocence with the police officer who arrested him in an airport restroom, an audiotape released Thursday shows.

Craig, who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after his June arrest in a men’s room at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, argued with the officer about the details of his behavior in a bathroom stall.

The audiotape was posted online Thursday by the syndicated TV show, “Inside Edition,” and was subsequently played on TV and radio.

Craig denied in his arrest interview that he engaged in lewd behavior and accused the police officer of trying to entrap him.

"I sit down to go to the bathroom, and you said our feet bumped," Craig told the officer. "I believe they did ... because I reached down and scooted over and the next thing I knew, under the bathroom divider comes a card that says 'police.' "

The police officer at one point accused Craig of lying about his actions in the bathroom.

"I'm just disappointed in you, sir," the officer said. "I mean, people vote for you."

Craig has apologized for his arrest and his guilty plea, and denied he engages in "inappropriate conduct.”

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has called on Craig -- whose third term in the Senate expires in 2008 -- to resign. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., also said Craig should resign.

Senate Republican leaders issued a statement Wednesday saying Craig was stepping down from his Senate committee assignments.