Weinstein is reportedly seeking treatment for a sex addiction, but Thompson said he is "a predator", not a sex addict
OSCAR winning actress Emma Thompson has compared Harvey Weinstein to child abuser Jimmy Savile.
In an interview with, Thompson described the allegations as "endemic to the system," adding that Weinstein is the "tip of the iceberg" of what goes on in the movie business.
The actress said: "Isn't it the same story as Jimmy Savile? It's the same story.
"If someone's powerful, you can say, as the nurses used to do in those hospitals, be careful, pretend you're asleep."
Thompson rebuked those describing Weinstein as a sex addict, commenting: "I don't think you can describe him as a sex addict, he's a predator - that's different.
"He's an actual predator, he's dangerous and what he's done and what he's doing is criminal."
What we know so far:
The 58 year old said that she would not have classified Weinstein as a friend, noting her relationship with him had been strictly business.
She described Miramax, Weinstein's company, as "difficult" when they were involved in her film Nanny McPhee, which was
"His bullying behaviour patterns also existed in his business world."
When asked if she thought there were others in Hollywood behaving in the same way as the disgraced movie mogul, Thompson said:
"Of course, many, many.
She added: "Maybe not to that degree.
"Do they have to all be as bad as him to make it count?
"Does it only count if you really have done it to loads and loads and loads of women?
"Or does it count if you do it to one woman once.
"I think the latter.
"So what we need to start talking about is the crisis in masculinity, the crisis of extreme masculinity which is this sort of behaviour and the fact that it is not only OK, but it also is represented by the most powerful man in the world at the moment."
Thompson joins a long list of celebrities who have publicly spoken out against Weinstein's alleged behaviour, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale and Angelina Jolie.
Weinstein today flew on a private jet to a $30,000 a month exclusive sex rehab clinic to seek treatment for sex addiction.
Before leaving, he told reporters waiting outside his home: "I'm not doing OK but I'm trying. I gotta get help. We all make mistakes - a second chance I hope."
