Corbyn promoted
Spacey, with Robin Wright in House Of Cards, has multiple accusers SCOTLAND Yard last night launched an investigation into Hollywood star Kevin Spacey over an alleged sexual assault on a young actor.
The man claimed he woke up to find the Oscar-winning actor performing a sex act on him at his London home in 2008.
The man, who was 23 at the time, claims he had passed out at Spacey’s flat in Lambeth, south London, where Spacey had invited him for drinks.
It is understood the complainant had asked for career advice when Spacey, 58, was artistic director at London’s Old Vic theatre.
He contacted City of London Police on Tuesday after a raft of stories emerged about Spacey’s alleged sexual misconduct. Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos, who acted at the Old Vic where Spacey worked from 2004 to 2015, this week claimed the star “routinely preyed” on young male actors. The Old Vic has set up a confidential complaints process.
In America, Spacey was branded “a paedophile” yesterday by a man aged 48 who claimed he had a sexual relationship with the actor in 1983 when he was 14 and that Spacey tried to rape him the following year. Spacey denies the allegation.
Eight other men claim they were sexually harassed or assaulted by the star while working on the hit Netflix TV show House Of Cards, in which Spacey plays ruthless politician Frank Underwood. JEREMY Corbyn is under pressure to explain why he promoted alleged sex pest MP Kelvin Hopkins to his front bench last year despite being aware of allegations against him.
Luton North MP Mr Hopkins, who last night “absolutely and categorically” denied allegations that he inappropriately touched a young female researcher, has been suspended.
Labour MP Jess Phillips said the decision to ignore Mr Hopkins’ record was “concerning” and the leadership failed to take the issue seriously.
She added: “There does seem to be a problem with some of the issues over the timeline in this case and I think that potentially Kelvin Hopkins should not have been promoted.”
Researcher Ava Etemadzadeh, 27, first complained to the whips’ office after contact with Mr Hopkins around three years ago. It is understood he was reprimanded by then chief whip Dame Rosie Winterton.
But he was promoted to the shadow cabinet where he served as culture spokesman last year following mass resignations which were part of a coup attempt against Mr Corbyn.
Mr Corbyn’s embarrassment increased when Dame Rosie Winterton confirmed she had briefed him about Mr Hopkins’s alleged misconduct at the time of the appointment.
In a statement issued by his solicitors, Mr Hopkins said: “I simply put an arm around her shoulder to give her a brief, slight hug just before getting in to my car. I did not hold her tight.” It added: “She waved me off as I drove away and did not say anything whatsoever to suggest that anything had occurred that upset her let alone revolted her.” Mr Hopkins claims that Ms Etemadzadeh sent him a text later that evening saying: “Thank you so much Kelvin for coming tonight!! We had a fantastic time. My members loved you! :-) You’re a star! x Ava.”
He did admit sending a text in February 2015 which said Ava was “charming and sweet natured” and that “a nice young man would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend and lover...Were I to be