Weinstein suspended from Bafta amidst Hollywood sex scandal

● Stars claim to have been harassed ● MPS call for his CBE to be taken away

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) has suspendedharveyweinstein’s membership with immediate effect.

The disgraced Hollywood producer has been at the heart of a scandal that has gripped the US film industry and has seen stars including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie claim they were sexually harassed by him.

A statement on the official Bafta website reads: “In light of recent very serious allegations, Bafta has informed Harvey Weinstein that his membership has been suspended, effective immediately.

“Whilst Bafta has previously been a beneficiary of Mr Weinstein’s support for its charitable work, it considers the reported alleged behaviour completely unacceptable and incompatible with Bafta’s values. This has led to Mr Weinstein’s suspension, and it will be followed by a formal process as laid out in Bafta’s constitution. We hope this announcement sends a clear message that such behaviour has absolutely no place in our industry.”

The news of Weinstein’s sus- pension came after a number of senior Labour MPS signed a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, calling for his honorary CBE to be taken away.

The letter to Mrs May – who has already expressed “concern” about the accusations but said it was not a matter for Downing Street – refers to Weinstein’s apology released last week in which he said: “I came of age in the 60s and 70s, when all the rules about behaviour and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.”

Weinstein’s wife Georgina Chapman has described his behaviour as “unforgivable” and has said she is leaving him.

Ms Chapman, who has two children with Weinstein, told People magazine: “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”

Barack and Michelle Obama are among the high-profile figures to condemn the producer, saying they were “disgusted” by the reports.

They joined a number of Hollywood stars, including George Clooney, Leonardo Dicaprio, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Dame Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatch, who have thrown their support behind the women accusing Weinstein of sexual harassment, while Ben Affleck said reading the rape allegations made him “sick”.

On Tuesday, Paltrow and Jolie joined a growing list of stars accusing the producer of sexual harassment, and he has been dismissed from the Weinstein Company, which he co-founded with his brother Bob Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein has rejected many of the allegations and issued a vehement denial over three allegations of rape which emerged on Tuesday.

In a statement to the New York Times, his spokeswoman said: “Any allegations of nonconsensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein.”