‘I should close my mouth for a while’: Matt Damon promises to stop sharing his views on #MeToo after backlash

Matt Damon has promised to stop making comments about the #MeToo movement after facing a backlash for his views.

The Jason Bourne actor came under fire for voicing his controversial opinions about the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal in recent months, but has now said that he will “close” his mouth on the subject.

During an interview with Today’s Kathie Lee Gifford to promote his foundation, Water.org, he was asked about his recent comments regarding the wave of sexual harassment accusations.

She said: “You know, just recently in the news you were caught up in something that's very much in the vernacular of our conversations these days. What have you learned from that whole experience?”

Damon responded: “I really wish that I'd listened a lot more before I weighed in on this. You know, I think ultimately what it is for me is that I don't want to further anybody's pain with anything that I do or say and so for that I'm really sorry.

“And you know this whole like Times Up, I mean a lot of those women are my dear friends and I love them and respect them and support what they're doing and want to be a part of that change and want to go along for the ride, but I should get in the back seat and close my mouth for a while.”

The philanthropist and screenwriter sparked controversy when previously asked what he thought about the Hollywood sex scandals.

At the time, he said: “We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s**tload of guys - the preponderance of men I've worked with - who don't do this kind of thing...I don't do that, and most of the people I know don't do that.”

The news follows the Golden Globes award ceremony where actors wore black in support of the Times Up campaign.