Denver (AP) - A black delegate for Hillary Rodham Clinton says she was called an "Uncle Tom" by Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, one of Barack Obama's political mentors.

Chicago political consultant Delmarie Cobb says Jones made the remarks Saturday night while discussing her support for Clinton. She called the remark "fighting words" and unacceptable.

Jones, who also is black, said Monday that he never uttered the slur. He says he referred to Cobb and other Clinton supporters as "doubting Thomases."

Cobb says that explanation doesn't make sense because she confronted Jones at the time and he didn't indicate she'd misunderstood.

A dispute within the Illinois delegation could distract from the unity message Obama is trying to deliver this week.