Celebrity Big Brother: Ann Widdecombe slammed for 'victim-shaming' Harvey Weinstein accusers

They may have only been in the house for one day but some Celebrity Big Brother housemates are already ruffling feathers, with Ann Widdecombe, Amanda Barrie, and Rachel Johnson coming under fire after ‘victim-shaming’ Harvey Weinstein’s accusers.

Ann insisted that the women “had a choice” when they were allegedly sexually assaulted by the movie mogul, with the younger housemates, including Jess Impiazzi and Malika Haqq, being praised for speaking out against their fellow housemates.

It all started when India Willoughby asked veteran actress Amanda whether she had ever experienced the “casting couch thing” after the housemates had a discussion about the Weinstein scandal.

Amanda said: “When it comes to Weinstein, I think somebody should’ve just said, ‘It’s not really worth it darling, I’d rather not get the part.'”

Ann added: “Yes, I tend to agree there was a choice there.”

India further questioned: “Has a director ever implied he wouldn’t give you a part unless you succumbed to his charms?”

The former Coronation Street star replied: “It was always being indicated that, but I think if you’re stupid enough to get with somebody because you want the part, don’t get it.”

Boris Johnson’s sister, Rachel, retorted: “Many women were stupid enough to do this and became big stars”, with Ann once again insisting: “It’s down to them, they had a choice.”

However, glamour model Jess soon hit back, explaining: “I’d freak, I’d be awfully terrified.

“Say you’re quite a shy person and this man comes at you, you’d think what the hell?”

Ann retorted: “You say no!”

Jess continued: “But you’d be terrified, he shouldn’t even be there in the first place, you’d be so scared, if a big man came at me like that I’d be terrified.”

Malika agreed, reasoning that the way Weinstein allegedly approached his victims wasn’t necessarily in an aggressive or obvious way.

She explained: “It comes in a way like you’re walking out to your car, he says, ‘Hey by the way, great audition, you should come by mine later and go over lines so you can actually get that callback.

“It’s not always the big bad cop and sometimes that’s how people end up subjecting themselves in situations and scenarios where you don’t see it coming and all of a sudden you end up doing something you really truly wouldn’t want to be doing but you’re doing it now and you realise I have a choice in that very moment.

“You’ve already put yourself in that position where you’re in someone’s home or someone’s private office and it’s not always that obvious.”

Malika and Jess were praised by viewers for “speaking sense”, with the older housemates receiving criticism from fans, with some even calling for them to be removed for the comments:

In recent months, more than 50 high-profile supermodels and actresses have come forward to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and rape, with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Rose McGowan and Cara Delevingne all sharing harrowing stories.

Weinstein, 65, has insisted that all sexual conduct has been consensual, with his spokeswoman Sallie Hofmeister saying: “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein.”

Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.

Follow Yahoo Celeb UK on Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest celebrity news!

Read more:

[ Amanda Barrie is doing Celebrity Big Brother to ‘pay for care home’ ]

[ Maggie Oliver wrote Rochdale victims a letter to explain Celebrity Big Brother appearance ]

[ Ewan McGregor’s wife and daughter ‘exclude’ actor from family following ‘affair’ scandal ]