9 Dec 2017

Kevin Spacey groped Norwegian royal - report

11:42 am on 9 December 2017

The King of Norway's former son-in-law has accused Kevin Spacey of groping him after a Nobel Peace Prize concert.

Ari Behn told Norway radio station P4 that it happened after the actor had hosted the event in 2007.

"I am a generous person, but this was a bit more than I had in mind," said Mr Behn, who was married to King Harald's daughter Martha Louise until last year.

Princess Martha Louise and Ari Behn in 2015.

Princess Martha Louise and Ari Behn in 2015. Photo: AFP

Spacey has been accused of sexual abuse and harassment by a string of men and has been written out of House of Cards.

A spokesman for Spacey said last month that he was "taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment" in the wake of the allegations.

Recalling the alleged incident, Behn said: "We had a great talk, he sat right beside me.

"After five minutes he said, 'hey, let's go out and have a cigarette'. Then he puts his hand under the table and grabs me by the balls."

Behn said he put Spacey off by telling him: "Er, maybe later."

He added: "My hair was dark at the time, I was 10 years younger and right up his alley."

Kevin Spacey earlier this year.

Kevin Spacey earlier this year. Photo: AFP

Last month, the Old Vic theatre in London said it had received 20 personal testimonies of alleged inappropriate behaviour by Spacey while he was artistic director there.

He has faced other allegations too, with the claims leaving his career in ruins.

He has been removed from the sixth season of House of Cards, which will instead focus on his on-screen wife, played by Robin Wright.

Spacey has also been replaced by Christopher Plummer in the new Ridley Scott film All the Money in the World.

Film director Bryan Singer denies sexual assaulting teen

Film director Bryan Singer has denied sexual assault after being sued for allegedly raping a 17-year-old boy.

According to court filings obtained by Deadline, Cesar Sanchez-Guzman has alleged he was sexually assaulted by the director on a yacht in 2003.

In a statement, a representative for Singer said the director "categorically denies these allegations".

It comes in the same week that Singer was fired as director of the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody because of "unreliable behaviour".

It was earlier reported that production of the film had been halted due to the "unexpected unavailability" of Singer.

- BBC

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs