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'He's a predator': Emma Thompson gave a blistering interview about Harvey Weinstein last night
Facebook / BBC Newsnight Facebook / BBC Newsnight / BBC Newsnight
EMMA THOMPSON has delivered a scathing appraisal of the Weinstein scandal, calling him a ‘predator’ and saying she has no doubt that more like him exist in Hollywood.
Harvey Weinstein has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by a number of women in the film industry, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie – just yesterday Kate Beckinsale said that he targeted her when she was 17 years old.
Weinstein and Paltrow in 2002 PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
In an interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis last night, Thompson said that she did not know about the the allegations against Weinstein previously, but they didn’t come as a surprise.
“What I find extraordinary is that this man is at the top of a very particular iceberg,” she said. “I don’t think you can describe him as a sex addict, he’s a predator.”
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Thompson said that she clashed with Weinstein over her film NannyMcPhee, the rights to which were originally owned by Miramax.
She compared his situation to that of Jimmy Savile in the UK, saying women were compelled by his power in the industry to submit to his ‘pestering’.
Doug Peters / EMPICS Entertainment Doug Peters / EMPICS Entertainment / EMPICS Entertainment
“I spent my 20s trying to get old men’s tongues out of my mouth, you know, because they just thought ‘Well, she’s up for it’,” she said.
When asked by Maitlis if there are others in the industry “to [Weinstein's] degree”, Thompson made an important point:
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Previously: London and NYC police launch investigations into Harvey Weinstein assault allegations>
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