Theresa May praises courage of Harvey Weinstein’s victims as MPs demand sex pest is stripped of CBE
THERESA May has praised the courage of Harvey Weinstein's victims as MPs demand the sex pest movie mogul is stripped of his CBE.
The PM's spokesman said Mrs May believes those who have spoken out should be praised - but insisted No10 has no power to revoke the disgraced producer's gong.
The spokesman said: “The reports over the recent days are deeply concerning. Any unwanted sexual activity is completely unacceptable and any allegations should be investigated.
“Anyone who comes forward to report these kind of allegations should be praised for their courage.
“The independent Honours Forfeiture Committee considers cases where the honours system has been brought into disrepute.
“Their discussions are confidential. It is right that we let them get on with their work.”
Pressure is mounting on the Honours Forfeiture Committee (HFC) with MPs from both sides of the dispatch box calling for the honour to be stripped.
Those to join calls include Tory Maria Miller, chair of the House of Commons Women and Equalities committee, and several members of the shadow cabinet.
The HFC can recommend honours be stripped if the recipient's actions are deemed to have brought the system into disrepute, with final approval needed from the Queen.
Reasons given by the HFC for stripping honours include being sentenced to more than three months in prison or being "censured or struck off by a professional or regulatory body for something directly relevant to their honour".
Other reasons for forfeiture can be considered.
People stripped of their honours
Rolf Harris: Paedo painter and enterainer Harris was stripped of his CBE after being jailed for a string of sex attacks on girls as young as seven. He had been given the honour in 2006 after painting the Queen's 80th birthday portrait.
Fred Goodwin: Banker Fred Goodwin was stripped of a knighthood after the near collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2008. RBS had to be bailed out by the Government to the tune of £45bn, with far-reaching ramifications for the UK economy.
James Crosby: Former HBOS chief executive asked for his Knighthood to be taken away following the financial crisis. Crosby was described as the "architect" of the firm's downfall which cost taxpayers an estimated £20.5bn.
Robert Mugabe: The Zimbabwean dictator was stripped of his honorary knighthood over his "abuse of human rights" in 2008.
Anthony Blunt: Soviet spy Anthony Blunt was stripped of his knighthood after it emerged he had been sharing state secrets through WWII while an MI5 agent.
Jimmy Saville: Peado entertainer Saville was not stripped of his knighthood after his horrendous crimes were exposed because he was dead. Officials said individuals cease to be a member of an order when they die so it was not possible to strip him posthumously of the gong.
Hollywood producer Weinstein has been at the centre of a growing scandal after a string of women came forward alleging casting couch-style sexual harassment.
The Oscar-winning producer, 65, was also accused of raping three women in explosive new allegations which have rocked Hollywood.
Scores of celebrities have spoken out in the days since allegations came to light to condemn his actions.
Weinstein's British wife Georgina Chapman also said she is leaving him last night as allegations mounted.
Today Weinstein said he supported her decision, adding he encouraged her to do what her heart told her.
Weinstein has been fired from the company he started and suspended from Bafta.
A statement posted on the official BAFTA website today reads: "In light of recent very serious allegations, Bafta has informed Harvey Weinstein that his membership has been suspended, effective immediately.
"Whilst Bafta has previously been a beneficiary of Mr Weinstein's support for its charitable work, it considers the reported alleged behaviour completely unacceptable and incompatible with Bafta's values. "This has led to Mr Weinstein's suspension, and it will be followed by a formal process as laid out in Bafta's constitution.
"We hope this announcement sends a clear message that such behaviour has absolutely no place in our industry."
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which host the Oscars, said it is meeting to decide if it will take action against the producer on Saturday.
A statement branded the allegations "repugnant and abhorrent";.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are among the raft of new accusers to go public in the past 24 hours.
MOST READ IN NEWS
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.'