Britain's Bafta suspends Harvey Weinstein's membership

Amid growing number of accusations of sexual misconduct, UK’s film academy says ‘no place’ for such behavior in movie industry

LONDON — The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) said Wednesday it has suspended Harvey Weinstein’s membership, effective immediately.

The organization acted as the scandal engulfing the Hollywood producer continued to widen, with new claims he raped an Italian film star and two other women drawing condemnation from across the film world and America’s liberal political elite.

In a statement Bafta said it hoped the decision “sends a clear message that such behavior has absolutely no place in our industry.”

“Whilst Bafta has previously been a beneficiary of Mr. Weinstein’s support for its charitable work, it considers the reported alleged behavior completely unacceptable and incompatible with Bafta’s values,” it added.

The latest allegations against the 65-year-old movie mogul made in a bombshell expose published by The New Yorker on Tuesday escalated the scandal to new levels.

Previous accusations, which led to his weekend sacking from The Weinstein Company, had been limited to complaints about sexual harassment.

High profile actresses Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Heather Graham are among those to have come forward with similar complaints since then.

Weinstein has denied all charges, according to a statement from his spokeswoman Sallie Hofmeister, circulated among US media.

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, as well as Hillary Clinton, on Tuesday expressed their disgust at the revelations concerning Weinstein, a longtime Democratic Party donor.

Meanwhile the producer’s wife, British fashion designer Georgina Chapman, with whom he has two children, told celebrity magazine People she was planning to leave their marriage.