Further resignations as fallout spreads for embattled Weinstein

A prominent US lawyer announced she is no longer representing Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein as he confronts sexual harassment allegations dating back years.

The move came as a TV newsanchorlodgedanother claim of misconduct against the film producer and a third board member resigned from Weinstein’s company.

The developments, along with the departure of yet another attorney for Weinstein, are the latest fallout from allegations against the Oscar-winning movie-maker that The New York Times detailed in an expose last Thursday.

“My understanding is that Mr Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement,” attorney Lisa Bloom said in announcing her resignation on Twitter.

Bloom previously has represented victims of sexual harassment and assault. Her work with the co-chair of The Weinstein Co drew fierce criticism online. Bloom is the daughter of well-known Los Angeles women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred.

Charles Harder, another attorney representing Weinstein, didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment on the developments. A Weinstein Co spokeswoman, Nicole Quenqua, declined to comment.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer who also was working with Weinstein and is no longer advising the producer, declined comment, his office said.

President Donald Trump, preparing to board a helicopter to travel from the White House to a North Carolina fund-raiser on Saturday, was asked by reporters to weigh in on the embattled Hollywood figure. “I’ve known Harvey Weinstein a long time,” Mr Trump replied.

When asked if he was surprised by the accusations, the president replied: “I’m not at all surprised to see it.”

Mr Trump brushed off a query about his 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape comments, in which he bragged about women letting him kiss them and grab their genitals because he is famous.

“That’s locker room,” he said, echoing his characterisation of the remarks after the audio was revealed during last year’s presidential campaign.

Weinstein is on indefinite leave from the company he co-founded while it conducts an investigation into the claims made by women including actors Ashley Judd and Rose Mcgowan as well as TV anchor Lauren Silvan that stretch back years. Weinstein’s former attorney Lisa Bloom previously acknowledged her client had been “stupid”. She saluted the women who have come forward to allege wrongdoing but said many allegations were overblown and were Weinstein telling a woman she “looked cute”