Harvey Weinstein phones in from rehab to officially resign from own company

Harvey Weinstein has resigned from the film company he founded 12 years ago admitting he has a “real problem”, it was reported today.

The film-maker reportedly went public with an apology as he officially quit the board of the Weinstein Company, telling directors he was sorry for “trouble and confusion” caused, according to website TMZ.

He had previously been fired as co-chairman but retained a seat on the board. Weinstein, who joined the board meeting by phone from a rehabilitation clinic in Arizona, is said to have claimed he wanted to build a new life.

Some 40 women have now come forward with allegations that he sexually assaulted and harassed them. Weinstein, 65, remains adamant any relationships he had were entirely consensual.

News of the decision came as his younger brother Bob, co-founder of the studio behind blockbusters including The King’s Speech, The Artist and Django Unchained, fiercely denied fresh accusations from another actress.

Amanda Segel, an executive producer of the cable series The Mist, told Variety that Bob repeatedly made romantic overtures to her over three months last year, and that her lawyer notified company leaders.

Bert Fields, a lawyer for Bob Weinstein, said the Variety article was “riddled with false and misleading assertions”.

In a series of tweets posted yesterday, Lena Headey, the British star of Game Of Thrones, alleged that Harvey Weinstein had sexually harassed her.

She joined a stream of prominent actresses, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino who have accused Weinstein of abusing his position.

Business partners have cut ties with the studio. Amazon has shelved two projects and last night carmaker Lexus, sponsor of the reality show Project Runway, said it was “evaluating our partnership” with the studio.

Another actress, Larissa Gomes, told the Los Angeles Times that when she was 17 Weinstein asked her to bare her chest and tried to kiss her on the lips.

Star Wars director JJ Abrams told Radio 4’s Today programme: “People knew that he was a bully but I didn’t have a clue as to the extent. I admire enormously the women who have come forward, because it must be horrific.

“I think it’s probable that he can’t be a lone operator. My guess is that there’s abuse of power in any industry and I’m sure that Hollywood is no exception.”

The Royal Court Theatre is holding an event to give people the opportunity to share their own experiences of sexual harassment and said it is “time to confront the abuses of power that have been occurring in our own industry for years”.