Meryl Streep slams 'disgraceful' Harvey Weinstein over sexual abuse allegations

'Not everybody knew about these offences,' says the Hollywood star

Abuse of power: Weinstein alongside Streep (Getty Images)

Meryl Streep has called Harvey Weinstein “disgraceful” over the sexual harassment allegations made against the Hollywood producer.

The Academy Award-winner issued a statement to The Huffington Post, revealing she was not aware of Weinstein’s behaviour before the allegations were made public.

Streep has collaborated with Weinstein on numerous projects, including August: Osage County and The Iron Lady, even once referring to him as a “God”.

Weinstein has been accused of sexually harassing numerous women over the past few decades, the producer having reportedly paid eight individuals to keep the story quiet.

Many critics, including Donald Trump Jnr, have been vocal about Hollywood not discussing the Weinstein situation. The Daily Beast even used an image of the producer with Streep for an article titled: “Hollywood’s Loud Silence on Harvey Weinstein’s Sexual Harassment Allegations.”

Streep’s full statement reads: “The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.

“One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally.

“I didn’t know about these other offences: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And if everybody knew, I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.

“The behaviour is inexcusable but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”

Since the allegations were published, Weinstein has been fired from The Weinstein Company. They said: “His employment is terminated, effective immediately.”