Spacey must pay TV firm £25m after grope claims

KEVIN Spacey has been ordered to pay the makers of House Of Cards more than £25million after being fired from the hit TV series over claims that he sexually harassed crew members.

The star of the political drama was sacked in 2017, forcing producers to rewrite and truncate the sixth series before Netflix dropped the Emmy award-winning show.

Court papers revealed Spacey, 63, was axed following allegations he was ‘systematically preying upon, sexually harassing and groping young men.’ He denies the claims.

Spacey played corrupt politician Frank Underwood, pictured, in the adaptation of a 1990 BBC production. But following his firing, shooting was halted and its 13 episodes were cut to eight.

MRC, the entertainment firm behind the show, sued Spacey in 2019, saying his sacking amounted to a breach of contract and cost it tens of millions of dollars in fees and lost revenue.

The new ruling in Los Angeles confirms a decision by a private arbitrator last year in favour of the production company. The actor had filed to have the order overturned, but his request was denied by judge Mel Red Recana.

It follows Spacey’s appearance at the Old Bailey in London last month where he ‘strenuously’ denied other allegations of sexual assault dating back 17 years – five allegations, said to have taken place between 2005 and 2013, relating to three men who are now in their 30s and 40s. Mr Justice Wall set a trial date of June 6 next year. Spacey is also due to face a civil case in New York in October, brought by actor Anthony Rapp, who says he was abused at 14.