Biodun Iginla, BBC News

Biodun Iginla, BBC News
Showing posts with label Anthony Rapp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthony Rapp. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

UK police probe second Kevin Spacey allegation: report


by Selina O'Grady and Biodun Iginla, France24, London


    © AFP/File | US actor Kevin Spacey is facing numerous claims of sexual assault and harassment

    LONDON  - 
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    British police are investigating Hollywood star Kevin Spacey over a second allegation of sexual assault, the Press Association news agency reported on Wednesday.
    London's Metropolitan Police said it was examining an allegation of sexual assault against a man in 2005 in the Lambeth area of the city.
    The alleged victim came forward on Friday, more than two weeks after another male said he was assaulted by the same man in 2008.
    Police would not confirm the identity of the alleged assailant, who was named as Spacey by the Press Association.
    The American actor is facing numerous claims of sexual assault and harassment, as part of a broader scandal in Hollywood sparked by allegations against mogul Harvey Weinstein.
    Abuse claims against Spacey prompted The Old Vic theatre to launch an investigation into the actor's term as artistic director, between 2004 and 2015, receiving 20 claims of inappropriate behaviour.
    The incidents reported to the Lambeth theatre cover a period of 1995 to 2013 and have not been verified, The Old Vic said.
    Spacey has been accused of attempting to rape a 15-year-old boy in New York and of making advances on actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14 years old, 31 years ago.
    In a separate incident, a US woman claimed her 18-year-old son was sexually assaulted by the actor last year.

    Sunday, October 29, 2017

    BREAKING: Kevin Spacey apologises over Anthony Rapp 'sexual advance' claim


    • October 30, 2017  06H:42  GMT/UTC/ZULU TIME 
    • From the sectionUS & Canada
    Kevin Spacey arrives at the Tony Awards in New YorkImage copyrightREUTERS
    Image captionSpacey said he was "horrified to hear the story"
    by Tamara Kachelmeier and Biodun Iginla, BBC News Entertainment reporters, Los Angeles
    Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has made an apology after being accused of making a sexual advance toward a child actor.
    Anthony Rapp, who was 14, said Spacey invited him to a party and seemed drunk when the alleged incident happened.
    Spacey, who was then 26, said: "I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago.
    "But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour."
    Rapp says he is sharing the story now after the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
    The movie mogul has been accused by more than 50 women of a range of allegations ranging from rape to sexual harassment. Mr Weinstein has denied any claims of non-consensual sex.
    The accusations have sparked a debate about inappropriate behaviour in the entertainment industry and beyond, and encouraged more people to share their experiences.
    In an interview given to BuzzFeed News, the 46-year-old Star Trek: Discovery actor said he was sitting on the edge of a bed after the party - held in Spacey's apartment in 1986 - when Oscar-winning Spacey, now 58, came into the bedroom.
    "He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don't, like, squirm away initially, because I'm like, 'What's going on?' And then he lays down on top of me," Rapp said.
    "He was trying to seduce me... I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually."
    Rapp said he was able to go to the bathroom before he left.
    Responding to the allegation, Spacey said he was "sorry for the feelings [Rapp] describes having carried with him all these years".
    He also addressed "stories" about his personal life, saying he had had relationships with both men and women and was now living as a gay man.
    "I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour."

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