Ian Mcewan will ‘maintain degree of scepticism’ about Weinstein

Ian Mcewan has said he will maintain a “degree of scepticism” about the allegations facing Harvey Weinstein until he has heard them set out in court.

The writer said he thinks the disgraced film producer seems like “a moral monster” but he will withhold judgment until the trial.

Weinstein has been charged with two counts of rape – one in the first degree and another in the third degree – and one count of a criminal sexual act for alleged incidents involving two separate women.

The charges follow an avalanche of accusations – 0 Withholding judgment: Ian Mcewan remains ‘sceptical’ including from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars – which first emerged last year, sparking the international Metoo and Time’s Up movements.

On Friday, Weinstein handed himself in to police in the US. Weinstein has repeatedly denied any allegations of non-consensual sex and intends to plead not guilty, his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said outside court.

Mcewan told the BBC: “It seems a kind of circus to me. There is the media stuff, which we have to penetrate.

“Wedon’tknowwhatactually happened; it seems he is a moral monster who has had his comeuppance, but I always like to encourage in myself just a degree of scepticism once the whole mobisinfullcry,soiam going to withhold judgments until I have heard the arguments in court.”