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| Harvey Weinstein Photo: Nick Stepowyj |
In a move that will send ripples through the film industry, the Weinstein Company last night fired one of its own founders, Harvey Weinstein, in connection with an increasing number of sexual harassment allegations made against him.
"In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company — Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar — have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately," said the statement released by the board.
Weinstein, who had already arranged to take a leave of absence from his work, has yet to comment on the sacking. His brother Bob was among those who decided that he had to go.
On Saturday, his former legal advisor, Lisa Bloom, who had previously described his behaviour towards women as 'disgusting', said that she would no longer be representing him.
President Trump, who has also been accused of sexual misconduct on numerous occasions, said that he had known Weinstein for a long time and was not surprised by the allegations.
The furore over Weinstein's alleged behaviour is seen by many as a welcome opportunity to bring change to the industry. Yesterday the Online Film Critics' Association announced its intention to change its bylaws so that any of its members facing such claims could be immediately suspended and have their membership revoked if found guilty.
"To be clear what Harvey Weinstein did was a disgusting abuse of power and horrible. I hope we are now seeing the beginning of the end of these abuses," said Mark Ruffalo, while Lena Dunham said "The wom[e]n who chose to speak about their experience of harassment by Harvey Weinstein deserve our awe. It's not fun or easy. It's brave."
