Harvey Weinstein: British Film Institute strips producer's fellowship

The British Film Institute (BFI) has stripped Harvey Weinstein of the fellowship he was awarded in 2002, following the raft of sexual assault allegations made against the producer.

The fellowship – the institute’s highest accolade – is given to individuals who have made a major contribution to film and television.

While Weinstein’s influence is not in doubt, but the BFI says the slew of allegations that have been made against him recently are at odds with its values.

In a statement (via BBC), it said that the fellowship is “the highest honour we can bestow” and “the serious and widespread allegations about Harvey Weinstein’s appalling conduct are in direct opposition to the BFI’s values”.

It continued that rape, sexual harassment, abuse and bullying are “unacceptable under any circumstances”, and that people in the film industry and all workspaces “should be safe and respected”.

“We wholeheartedly support those brave enough to come forward and speak out. The film industry needs more women represented on every level, on and off-screen.”

Sex crime detectives in New York and London are currently investigating allegations against the producer, who was behind some of Hollywood’s biggest films – though no police reports have as yet been filed in Los Angeles. Weinstein insists all sexual encounters were consensual.

Several British MPs have also appealed for Weinstein to lose the CBE he was granted by the Queen in 2004: one notch below a knighthood. The politicians have asked the Honours Forfeiture Committee to rescind the award.

Weinstein has backed many British movies, including Shakespeare in Love and The King’s Speech.

In the US, the Directors Guild of America said that its leaders will address the “very serious issue of sexual harassment in the industry” at its Saturday board meeting.

Weinstein has had his membership revoked by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, and the Producers Guild of America has voted unanimously to institute termination proceedings against him.