Congressman stays on despite photo inquiry call

But Anthony Weiner refused to resign even as Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called for an investigation into the incident.

Weiner, left, who represents New York, conceded to a “hugely regrettable” lapse in judgment but insisted he had done nothing wrong. “I’ve worked for the people of my district for 13 years and in politics for 20 years and I hope they see fit to see this in the light that it is,” he said.

Weiner acknowledged he had engaged in inappropriate contact with six women over the course of three years through social networking sites and occasionally over the phone.

He said he had never met or had a physical relationship with any of the women and was not even sure of their ages.

Last July, Weiner married Huma Abedin, a top aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Before the marriage, Weiner had been known as one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.

His news conference to admit sending the photo of him in his grey underpants was unusually blunt even by New York standards.

Weiner said over and over that he had made “terrible mistakes” and done “a very dumb thing” for which he alone bore responsibility.

“My wife is a remarkable woman. She’s not responsible for any of this,” he said. “I apologise to her very deeply.”