Dame Eileen: MeToo has gone too far

DAME Eileen Atkins, who helped create Upstairs Downstairs and starred in Gosford Park, has mixed feelings about the MeToo movement against sexual harassment in her industry.

‘I’m glad it’s being aired,’ the 84-year-old says, adding there have always been predators about. ‘You can be caught out. I’ve been caught out a couple of times. You have to be clever.

‘But I hate the witch-hunt that has occurred because of it. I feel it’s disgraceful that people are being condemned without trial. That’s wrong.

‘There is a huge danger that the importance of rape, which is a terrible thing, is going to get lost if you’re going to take somebody to court because his hand brushed your t**s.

‘We’re in a tricky era and area. The pendulum swings back and forth and I think it’s gone a wee bit too far.

‘This has been a necessary point, but I fear there have been some unfair calls.’