Pervert barred from running casting firms

A TALENT agent who sexually assaulted a young actress was yesterday banned from working in recruitment for 10 years.

Mark Butler, previously Mccrory and whose wife is Give My Head Peace star Alexandra Ford, was also barred from running any agency or business.

The Employment Agency Inspectorate also received a number of complaints alleging further inappropriate behaviour on his part.

Butler was operating through Universal Artists Belfast and his wife stood by him after he was convicted of the 2005 offence two years later.

Then, in 2009 she did an interview with Sunday Life saying she still believed he was innocent.

Now, she too has been prohibited from continuing as an agent – unless her husband has nothing to do with her company, has no access to the talent and is barred from the premises. Neither of the couple contested the orders.

A spokesman for the Department of Economy said: “The acting sector in Northern Ireland is one which has seen significant growth in recent years with a number of high-profile TV productions and films being made here.

“It is also an industry where you are more likely to find workers who are vulnerable to potential exploitation because they are so keen to find work.

“The prohibition order against Mr Butler and Ms Ford should give a clear message to work-seekers in the entertainment industry that there is no need to tolerate unprofessional or inappropriate conduct.

“Any work-seeker experiencing misconduct or inappropriate behaviour from their agent can bring concerns or complaints to the regulator.

“In this case, the Employment Agency Inspectorate acted immediately to investigate a series of complaints from actresses who sought to be or had been signed to Universal Artists.

“The actions of the department have resulted in the industrial tribunal imposing the maximum prohibition period permitted by the legislation for both parties.”

Butler was subject to a previous ban in 2009 but he was allowed to continue trading, under conditions, between 2010 and 2015.

YESTERDAY