Sickening silence that shames our pious stars

WHEN Kevin Spacey stepped down from his role as artistic director of The Old Vic theatre two years ago, he was feted by a host of Leftie luvvies and the occasion was gushingly reported by the BBC.

At a gala event for the departing superstar, Bond-film director Sam Mendes recorded a special tribute, as did Elton John and Bill Clinton.

Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville hosted the gathering where Sting and Annie Lennox sang.

Jeremy Irons put in a good word, and Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss and Labour activist Eddie Izzard all joined in the chorus of approval for Spacey, who they credited with reviving one of Britain’s most precious theatres.

Gatiss — who wears his politics on his sleeve; in one Sherlock episode, six busts of Margaret Thatcher were smashed — said at the time: ‘He’s done an incredible job, he’s totally revitalised this place and it’s the end of an era.’

Well, we can only hope it really is the end of an era now Spacey has been exposed as a serial sexual predator.

Today, the theatreland that was so quick to praise him is deafening in its silence as he is accused of assaulting a string of young men.

The first alleged victim to break cover was Star Wars actor Anthony Rapp, who claimed that Spacey tried to abuse him when he was just 14.

Actor Roberto Cavazos claims Spacey tried to grope him at the bar in The Old Vic, and there are reports of actors locking their dressing rooms to stop him from pestering them.

While on the set of his hit TV series House Of Cards, it is claimed Spacey solicited men in their early 20s for sex in his trailer, according to a source in the production team.

‘Any underlings were fair game,’ he said.

It seems everyone knew Spacey was a sexual predator yet no one was prepared to speak out.

How many young men and boys were traumatised and damaged as a result of this silence?

What is so shameful is that the luvvies who have said nothing are only too eager to lecture the rest of us and promote their goodness.

But while swathing themselves in virtue, they have turned a blind eye to a sexual predator in their midst. What hypocrisy! What sanctimony! Normally you can’t stop them talking, but the silence of the luvvies that protected Spacey for so long is nothing short of sickening.