Oscars chiefs discuss what action to take over Weinstein

Some of Hollywood's most powerful figures were meeting last night to discuss what action should be taken by the hosts of the Oscars against Harvey Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein, third left, at the Oscars awards ceremony in 1999. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

The board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences convened for an emergency meeting called as the film industry reeled from the sex abuse scandal.

Comprised of leading artists, directors and executives including Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg and Steven Spielberg, the 54-member board may choose to expel Weinstein from the academy.

The Oscar awarded to the producer in 1999 for his work on Shakespeare In Love may also be considered for nullification.

The British Academy Film Awards (Bafta) has suspended the producer’s membership, while organisers of the Cannes Film Festival said they were dismayed by the allegations.

Since accusations of sexual harassment first emerged last week, Weinstein has faced a litany of allegations, including three of rape.

Police forces in both the US and the UK are investigating allegations made against the mogul, who denies claims of non-consensual sex.

The scandal has destroyed Weinstein’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s leading executives, which he acquired as a co-founder of studios Miramax and the Weinstein Company.

The mogul was dropped by the firm’s board soon after being placed on indefinite leave earlier this week while he underwent “therapy”.

On Friday his brother and studio co-founder, Bob Weinstein, denied reports that the company or its board were trying to find a buyer, saying it was “business as usual”.

US banking giant Goldman Sachs had earlier confirmed it was “exploring options” for its $1 million (£752,000) stake in the Weinstein Company.

Meanwhile the list of female stars to go public with allegations of sexual impropriety against the 65-year-old continued to grow yesterday, with UK actress Alice Evans alleging Weinstein made a “sinister advance” towards her.

She suggested that her refusal to respond when he said he wanted to “touch your tits, kiss you a little” influenced his decision not to give her film roles.

Last week US actress Rose McGowan – one of the first women to accuse Weinstein of sexual harassment – tweeted that “HW raped me”. Her disclosure followed accusations from stars including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Cara Delevingne.

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