The Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been thrown out of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Weinstein is facing a string of allegations of sexual assault including several claims of rape. Weinstein denies all the charges made against him and is currently believed to be receiving therapy for sex addiction at a clinic in the United States.
The Academy released a statement saying that they had voted in excess of the two-thirds majority. ‘The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors met today to discuss the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, and has voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority to immediately expel him from the Academy.’
Members of the Academy included famous names such as Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. They also said that not only do they wish to separate themselves from Weinstein but they also seek to make a point that his behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Before the meeting was held they called the actions repugnant and look into any action that should be taken by the Academy. A total of 13 women have come out to claim Weinstein sexually assaulted them – others including Rose McGowan have accused the producer of rape.