Kevin Spacey has said he is confident he can prove his innocence after charges were authorised against him of four counts of sexual assault against three men.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced the charges on 26 May following an investigation by the Metropolitan police, though the actor cannot formally be charged until he returns to Britain.
The alleged attacks are said to have taken place in London and Gloucestershire between 2005 and 2013 while Spacey was working as artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London, with one involving a man now aged in his 40s and another involving a man who is now in his 30s.
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In the wake of CPS's announcement an official familiar with the process told the Guardian the UK would seek Spacey's formal extradition if he did not come back voluntarily, but the actor has confirmed he plans to 'voluntarily appear' in British courts.
In a statement to Good Morning America given through a spokesperson, the 62-year-old commented: "I very much appreciate the Crown Prosecution Service's statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise.
"While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence."
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Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said the decision to authorise charges against Spacey came off the back of 'evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police'.
"The CPS has authorised criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men," she said. “He has also been charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
Spacey has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, though the charges are not the first allegations of sexual misconduct he has faced.
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In 2017, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making a sexual advance against him when Rapp was 14. He filed a civil suit against Spacey in 2020, which is still ongoing.
Following the allegations, Spacey was fired from his role on the hit Netflix show House of Cards. London’s Old Vic theatre has also issued an apology in the wake of the claims, blaming a ‘cult of personality’ for its failings.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivor’s Trust for free on 08088 010 818, or through their website thesurvivorstrust.org
Emily Brown