‘told not to report rape’ Billy blasts ‘dastardly’ men in wake of scandal
Bailey for “showing great bravery and courage in speaking out”.
He added: “Victims must be supported when they come forward. These allegations must be investigated by the police and the party.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “We strongly recommend that the police investigate Bex Bailey’s allegations.
“Labour will also launch an independent investigation into claims that a party employee acted improperly over these 2011 allegations.” Sir Billy Connolly with his wife Pamela Stephenson after being knighted COMEDIAN Billy Connolly hit out at men caught up in the Hollywood sex scandal yesterday after being knighted at Buckingham Palace.
Known affectionately as the Big Yin, he said: “I think the air is going to be cleared and a lot of things that should have been done years ago are going to be done to protect young men and women.
“That’s going to spread to government, to industry, to university, to all sorts of realms, anywhere power is exercised over the powerless.
“Men will have to get a grip on themselves.”
ransom
A flood of allegations of sexual harassment have emerged in the wake of the scandal engulfing shamed movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Sir Billy said of powerful predators in the industry: “It’s been very unfair because they have held their careers as a sort of ransom which is a deeply and desperately dastardly thing to do. So they’ve made them feel ashamed of themselves, which is a horrible thing to do to a person. Your ego is so important to an actor or performer of any kind and to smash it that way is unkind in the extreme.” Sir Billy, who is 75 later this month, went on to tell how he shared a joke with Prince William at the ceremony as he was honoured for his services to entertainment and charity.
He said: “I just told him ‘I’m still funny.’ He was much nicer than me. I was kind of stiff and nervous.
“My main worry was when I knelt down to get the sword would I get back up again. When I saw the stool had a handle I thought ‘Oh great.’ That would never have crossed my mind before.”
He said of being made a Sir: “I’m kind of stunned by it. I’m kind of numb but it means a great deal to the people around me and the fans and everything.”
Sir Billy was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife of 28 years Pamela Stephenson.
In 2013 the father of five was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and prostate cancer on the same day. He has since been given the all-clear from cancer.
He said comedy was helping him get through Parkinson’s, which is characterised by symptoms that include a tremor or fine shake, slowness of movement and unsteady balance.