Harvey Weinstein: The Hollywood producer's downfall

Credit: PA

He is the man behind many Hollywood blockbusters but now producer Harvey Weinstein is at the centre of an ever deepening scandal.

It follows a string of allegations of sexual harassment from women who have worked with him, including A-list actresses Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Since the claims emerged the 65-year-old has been fired from the film company he founded with his brother and his wife has left him.

Weinstein has also been expelled from the Oscars organising committeewho said it the era of "wilful ignorance" on "sexually predatory behaviour and workplace harassment in our industry is over".

Here is a timeline of the key developments in the story.

  • How did the allegations first emerge?

Hollywood was left reeling after claims of sexual harassment first appeared in the New York Times on 5 October.

It published "previously undisclosed" allegations from women Weinstein had previously worked with, including the actress Ashley Judd.

Twenty years ago, Weinstein allegedly invited the then young actress to a breakfast meeting before propositioning her.

According to the Times, Weinstein also reached a $100,000 settlement with Rose McGowan, then a 23-year-old-actress, relating to a hotel room encounter in 1997.

Ashley Judd is one of many women who have accused Weinstein Credit: PA
  • How did Weinstein react to the allegations?

Weinstein issued an apology for his past behaviour saying he "has caused a lot of pain" and "needed to be a better person".

In a statement, he said: "I came of age in the 60s and 70s, when all the rules about behaviour and workplaces were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned it's not an excuse, in the office - or out of it. To anyone."

He also said he intended to take a "leave of absence" from the Weinstein Company as he works with a therapist.

Weinstein apologised for his past behaviour in the wake of the New York Times story. Credit: AP
  • What led up to his firing from the Weinstein company?

Initially on Friday 6 October, the Weinstein Company's board of directors said the majority of its members "strongly endorsed" Weinstein's decision to step aside while he receives "professional help for the problems he has acknowledged".

It also said it would launch an inquiry into the allegations it takes "extremely seriously".

The following day Weinstein's lawyer Lisa Bloom announced her resignation.

On 8 October, the company confirmed the producer had been dismissed with immediate effect "in light of new information about misconduct".

Harvey Weinstein co-founded the film studio with his brother Bob (left) in 2005. Credit: AP
  • Paltrow and Jolie among actresses to accuse Weinstein of harassment

Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are also among the actresses to accuse Weinstein of sexual harassment.

Paltrow said she was left "petrified" after Weinstein propositioned her when she was just 22.

"I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified," she said, adding she had confided then-boyfriend Brad Pitt who confronted Weinstein which led to him threatening her not to tell anyone else.

Angeline Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have also accused Weinstein of sexual harassment. Credit: PA

Jolie vowed not to work with him again after a "bad experience" as a young actress.

"I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did."

Meanwhile, former actress and screenwriter Louisette Geiss alleged the film Hollywood producer performed sex acts and begged her to watch him while she pitched movie ideas to him.

Louisette Geiss claimed her encounter with Weinstein left her feeling 'very scared'. Credit: NBC

Pulp Fiction star Rosanna Arquette and French actress Judith Godreche and Mira Sorvino have also accused Weinstein of making advances towards them.

Mira Sorvino, Judith Godreche and Rosanna Arquette (left-right). Credit: PA

British model and actress Cara Delevingne has also alleged the disgraced producer attempted to kiss her when the pair met to talk about an upcoming film.

"He walked me to the door and stood in front of it and tried to kiss me on the lips. I stopped him and managed to get out of the room."

Delevingne added that she still got the role in the film, adding she "always thought that he gave it to me because of what happened".

Cara Delevingne said she was left feeling 'very powerless and scared' Credit: PA

Another British actress Romola Garai also revealed she once auditioned for the producer while he "wore a bathrobe".

Garai, who was 18 at the time, and is now 35, told the Guardian the “humiliating” encounter happened at the Savoy Hotel in London and left her feeling "violated."

  • Weinstein denies rape allegations

Three women have also alleged Weinstein raped them in an article in The New Yorker magazine.

Actress Asia Argento and a former actress Lucia Evans accused Weinstein of forcing himself on them sexually. A third woman spoke anonymously.

Asia Argento described the alleged 'nightmare' encounter. Credit: PA

Weinstein has vehemently denied the rape allegations.

His spokeswoman Sallie Hofmeister said: "Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein."

  • High-profile figures speak out against Weinstein

Since Weinstein's sacking and in the wake of further allegations, a host of high-profile figures have spoken out against the movie mogul's behaviour.

Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle released a statement saying: "Any man who demeans and degrades women in such fashion needs to be condemned and held accountable, regardless of wealth or status."

Hillary Clinton said she was "shocked and appalled" by the claims about a man who has been a major donor to the Democrat Party since her husband Bill's presidential election in 1992.

Harvey Weinstein pictured with former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton Credit: PA

Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Dame Judi Dench and George Clooney are among stars lending their support to Weinstein's alleged victims.

Writing on Twitter, DiCaprio saluted the "strength" of the women who "made their voices heard".

Kate Winslet said: "The way Harvey Weinstein has treated these vulnerable, talented young women is not the way women should ever ever deem to be acceptable or commonplace in any workplace."

Dame Judi Dench called the claims "horrifying" and Meryl Streep said "the women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes".

Meanwhile, George Clooney said Weinstein's behaviour is "indefensible".

Meryl Streep hailed the alleged victims exposing the abuse as 'our heroes'. Credit: AP
  • Weinstein's wife leaves him over "unforgivable actions"

Weinstein's wife said the widespread allegations of sexual harassment are "unforgivable" as she confirmed she was leaving her husband.

Georgina Chapman told People magazine: "My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions."

The British fashion designer said caring for the couple's children was her "first priority" as she asked for privacy at this time.

Georgina Chapman is leaving her husband after 10 years of marriage. Credit: PA
  • Lohan speaks out in defence of Weinstein

Lindsay Lohan appears to be one of few speaking out in support of Weinstein. Credit: PA

The actress Lindsay Lohan apparently defended Weinstein as the scandal embroiling him deepens.

In a video, which was later deleted from Instagram, she said: "I feel very bad for Harvey Weinstein right now. I don't think it's right what's going on.

"He's never harmed me and done anything wrong to me and we've done several movies together," she added.

  • US and UK authorities investigating allegations

US and British police have begun investigating separate allegations of sexual assault.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating a claim from the 1980s, passed onto them by Merseyside Police.

New York Police are examining a claim from 2004 among allegations that were published in an article in The New Yorker magazine.

  • Weinstein's brother in 'waking nightmare'

And in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Saturday, Weinstein's brother Bob, who co-founded The Weinstein Company, said he is in “a waking nightmare” and had no idea “the type of predator” his brother is accused of being.

The disgraced producer is reportedly seeking treatment at a rehab centre. Credit: PA
  • Weinstein expelled from Oscars board

On Saturday, Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the Oscars organising committee.

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences said its board of governors had "voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority" to expel him.

It said "the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behaviour and workplace harassment in our industry is over".

The British Academy Film Awards has also suspended the producer's membership, while organisers of the Cannes Film Festival said they were dismayed by the allegations.

  • British actress accuses Weinstein of rape

Lysette Anthony claims she was attacked by the producer at her home. Credit: PA

British actress Lysette Anthony hasalleged Weinstein attacked her at London home in the late Eighties.

Anthony, 54, said it was a "pathetic, revolting" attack that had left her "disgusted and embarrassed".

The Metropolitan Police previously confirmed it has been passed an allegation of sexual assault by Merseyside Police.