Harvey Weinstein 'apologises' for Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep lawsuit quotes
Harvey Weinstein has apologised for the usage of approving comments by Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence in legal submissions.
The disgraced film producer's lawyers used the actors' quotes as defence in a class action lawsuit accusing him of conspiring to cover up his numerous allegations of sexual harassment, something which sparked criticism from both.
Weinstein's representatives said: “Mr. Weinstein has been informed that his civil counsel responded in court to a class action lawsuit which improperly sought to include all actresses who had previously worked with Mr. Weinstein, even where those actresses have made no claim of wrongdoing.
“Even though Mr. Weinstein has worked with hundreds of actresses and actors who had only professional and mutually respectful experiences with him, Mr. Weinstein has directed in the future that no specific names be used by his counsel, even where those actors have made previous public statements about him.”
The statement continues: “Mr. Weinstein acknowledges the valuable input both Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence have contributed to this conversation and apologises.
“Once again, moving forward, Mr. Weinstein has advised his counsel to not include specific names of former associates; and to avoid whenever possible, even if they are in the public record.”
The legal submission was enacted by six women.
Red Sparrow star Lawrence immediately criticised the action, saying: “Harvey Weinstein and his company are continuing to do what they have always done which is to take things out of context and use them for their own benefit. This is what predators do, and it must stop.”
Streep branded the usage of her quotes “pathetic and exploitative.”
While Weinstein's lawyers - Phyllis Kupferstein and Mary E Flynn - highlighted the favourable parts of each actors' statements, they failed to point out that each followed these words up with critical comments supporting the women who accused Weinstein of harassment, assault and rape. He continues to deny all allegations of non-consensual sex.
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