John Bailey: President of the Academy cleared of sexual misconduct allegations

'The committee unanimously determined that no further action was merited on this matter'

John Bailey speaks at the Foreign Language Film nominees cocktail reception in Beverly Hills, California (REUTERS/David McNew)

The head of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will remain as President of the organisation following an investigation into sexual harassment claims.

The organisation — who oversee the Oscars — said that no further action was required against John Bailey, who was accused of sexual harassment by three people in a report initially published by the Hollywood trade publication Variety.

"The academy took the claim very seriously and was aware of the rights of both the claimant and the accused, including consulting with outside counsel with expertise in matters related to harassment,” the academy said in a statement.

"The committee unanimously determined that no further action was merited on this matter. The findings and recommendations of the committee were reported to the board which endorsed its recommendation. John Bailey remains president of the academy."

Bailey, a 75-year-old cinematographer whose film credits include Groundhog Day, was named the academy’s President last year. The initial allegations against Bailey came in the wake of various women coming forward with stories about famous filmmakers in the industry,

The #MeToo movement was a recurring theme underlying the Oscars ceremony last month, with multiple speakers lauding women who had come forward and urging the industry to do a better job allowing women to advance.

Earlier this year, the academy released new guidelines for reporting misconduct. If claims are “substantiated by clear evidence” of behaviour violating the organisation’s code of conduct, a review committee can then decide to take no action or notify the accused within 10 business days.

“There is no place in the Academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency”, a document laying out the guidelines says.