Judi Dench is facing backlash for her recent remarks about disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein.
The James Bond star discussed the concept of forgiveness in relation to Weinstein during an interview with Radio Times. The film producer has been convicted of rape and sexual assault in both Los Angeles and New York.
Weinstein is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence at Rikers Island jail for his 2023 conviction in Los Angeles. In 2020, he was found guilty in New York and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
However, a retrial earlier this year resulted in him being convicted on one count of committing a criminal sexual act, acquitted of a second charge, and a mistrial declared on a third allegation.
Dench also mentioned Kevin Spacey, another Hollywood figure who fell from grace, stating that he was a close friend and provided support when her husband, Michael Williams, passed away in 2001. “Kevin has been exonerated, and I hear from Kevin, we text,” she said, reports the Irish Star.
Social media users have taken to X, previously known as Twitter, to voice their opinions on Dench’s interview. “‘Forgiveness..’ for rapists. No,” one user posted.
“This statement is an insult to the victims of these two men,” another chimed in. A third wrote, “I’m sorry, but ‘to me it’s personal forgiveness’ when you weren’t involved is absolutely ridiculous. Who is she to dictate?”
In a response to The Irish Star, Weinstein addressed Dench’s support. “I have always been fond of Judi Dench. She is an extraordinary person who played an important role in my career,” he stated.
“I’ve now spent more than six and a half years incarcerated, including a year and a half in Rikers, which counts as double time,” he continued.
“I am here for something I did not do, and many of the claims that have been written about me are gradually being shown to be untrue or unsupported,” he added. “I am grateful for the kind words that have been expressed, and all I want is the chance to return to my family and children.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.the-express.com ’
