Mogul admits ‘I’ve caused a lot of pain’ as wife leaves

DISGRACED Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein yesterday admitted he had caused his family “a lot of pain” after his wife announced she had left following the sexual assault and rape allegations.

As the movie mogul travelled to Europe to undergo “sexual rehabilitation” therapy, in the UK he also faced possibly being stripped of his honorary CBE.

Weinstein’s spokesman issued a statement on his behalf, claiming he had encouraged wife Georgina Chapman to leave him.

It read: “I support her decision, I am in counselling and perhaps, when I am better, we can rebuild. Over the last week, there has been a lot of pain for my family that I take responsibility for.

“I sat down with my wife Georgina, who I love more than anything, and we discussed what was best for our family. We discussed the possibility of a separation and I encouraged her to do what was in her heart.

“I understand, I love her and I love our children and hopefully, when I am better, I will be in their lives again.”

But in an earlier statement, English fashion designer Ms Chapman, 41, told how her “heart breaks” for the victims as she condemned her US producer husband’s “unforgivable actions”.

Speaking to People magazine in America, she said: “I have chosen to leave...Caring for my young children is my first priority.”

Second wife Ms Chapman, who owns and designs for high-end womenswear brand Marchesa, married Weinstein in 2007 and they have a daughter India Pearl, seven, and son Dashiell, four.

She is said to be beside herself with worry that no one will want to buy or wear a brand so closely associated with her husband. In the UK, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman expressed concern over the allegations – but said any decision to strip the CBE was a matter for the independent Honours Forfeiture Committee.

News of the split came just hours after Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow claimed they had been sexually harassed by Weinstein.

As the number of Weinstein’s A-list accusers continued to grow, former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle joined the condemnation.

The couple – whose eldest daughter Malia worked as an intern at The Weinstein Company earlier this year – said they were “disgusted by the recent reports”.

Weinstein was a big donor to the Democratic Party under Mr Obama’s leadership.

The veteran producer also donated to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Mrs Clinton said she was “shocked and appalled” by the revelations.

Weinstein’s sacking from the company yesterday caused one film financier to pull out of a $45million loan.

AI International Holdings reportedly want the cash back from The Weinstein Company in the wake of the adverse publicity.