WASHINGTON — An ex-wife of former White House staff secretary Rob Porter says she has received a letter of apology from Senator Orrin Hatch, the Utah Republican who defended his former aide from ‘‘a vile attack’’ after two former wives accused Porter of domestic abuse.

Porter resigned Feb. 7 after the accusations from Colbie Holderness and Jennie Willoughby became public, though he denied them.

Porter had been Hatch’s chief of staff for three years. When the allegations first surfaced, Hatch defended Porter as ‘‘kind and considerate towards all’’ and referred to ‘‘a vile attack’’ and ‘‘character assassins.’’

After details of the alleged abuse came to light, Hatch said he was ‘‘heartbroken,’’ didn’t know the details of Porter’s personal life, and called domestic violence ‘‘abhorrent.’’

Holderness said in an e-mail Sunday that she had received ‘‘an apology letter’’ from Hatch and that she appreciated it.

The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple first reported that both Holderness and Willoughby had received letters of apology from Hatch.

E-mails and calls for comment from Hatch’s office and from Willoughby.

Associated Press