Rings star McKellen: Women partly to blame for sex abuse

‘They will sleep with directors to get job’

SIR Ian McKellen believes women are partly responsible for the sex scandal in film and theatre – as some are willing to sleep with directors to win roles.

The Lord of the Rings star, 78, recalled a theatre boss showing him photos sent by women looking for work during the 1960s.

He said: “Some of them had at the bottom of their photograph ‘DRR’ – directors’ rights respected. In other words, if you give me a job, you can have sex with me.

“That was commonplace from people who proposed they should be a victim.

“Madness. People have taken advantage of that… and it absolutely will not do.” At the Oxford Union, he expressed support for victims, saying: “People must be called out… it’s very difficult for victims to do that.”

Sir Ian, who worked with Kevin Spacey at London’s Old Vic in 2004, also questioned the timing of Spacey’s coming out as gay following sex abuse claims. He added: “The circumstances in which he chose to do it are reprehensible because it linked alleged underage sex with a declaration of sexuality.”

Rachel Krys, of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said she was appalled by Sir Ian’s remarks. “To dismiss it is really victim blaming,” she said.

People must be called out.. sometimes it’s very difficult for victims to do that SIR IAN McKELLEN SPEAKING AT THE OXFORD UNION