Spacey ‘beyond horrified’ by claim

KEVIN Spacey has apologised for any “inappropriate drunken behaviour” with a 14-year-old in 1986.

But the double Oscar winner has come under fire for opening up about his sexuality, stating that he is living “as a gay man”, in a statement in which he said the issue had encouraged him to address “other things” about his life.

Spacey tweeted the statement after actor Anthony Rapp accused the 58-yearold of historical harassment.

Rapp said Spacey, then aged 26, placed him on a bed and climbed on top of him following a party at his apartment.

Spacey said he was “beyond horrified” by the claim and said he did not remember the alleged incident.

He added: “If I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apol- ogy for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour.”

Spacey said the story “has encouraged me to address other things about my life”. In the Twitter post, he added: “I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fuelled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy.

“As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women.

“I have l oved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.

“I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour.”

He was criticised for combining the two statements.

Film critic Richard Lawson said: “For a famous person to deflect these accusations with a long-in-the-making coming out is so cruel to his supposed new community it stings.”

Comedian Larry Wilmore said: “Kevin Spacey’s comment was wrong on so many levels.”

Rapp said on Twitter: “I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me.”

Spacey is best known for the film American Beauty and TV drama House Of Cards.

He was formerly artistic director of London’s Old Vic theatre.

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Kevin Spacey