What crimes has Morgan Freeman been accused of?

The veteran actor is facing numerous
allegations of sexual harassment, including attempts to lift up the
skirt of a production assistant

Daily Briefing

A total of 16 people have accused the Se7en star of behaving
inappropriately, Sky News reports, as he becomes the latest
Hollywood celebrity to be accused of sexual misconduct, after
allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein kickstarted the
#MeToo campaign against sexual harassment.

Freeman has apologised to “anyone who felt uncomfortable or
disrespected”.

What is Freeman accused of?

A total of 16 people came forward to CNN to accuse Freeman, 80, of a range of
offences dating back years.

Eight of the women said they were victims of harassment or
inappropriate behaviour, while two of them said Freeman subjected
them to “unwanted touching”.

One of the two was subjected to attempts to lift up her skirt
and was asked if she was wearing underwear, the BBC reports.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that the other –
a young production assistant on the 2015 comedy Going in Style
– was subjected to several months of harassment, and
alleges that Freeman repeatedly touched her without her consent,
“resting his hand on her lower back or rubbing her lower back, and
frequently made comments about her figure and clothing”, calling
her “ripe”.

She also added that actor Alan Arkin, who was present at the
time, “made a comment telling him to stop”.

Other accusations included inappropriate questions regarding
sexual harassment, “looking women up and down” and asking them to
twirl for him.

The remaining eight people came forward as witnesses.

What has the response been?

In response to the accusations, Freeman issued a statement of
apology. 

“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not
someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone
feel uneasy,” the statement read.

“I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected –
that was never my intent.”

The allegations have prompted Vancouver’s transportation system
TransLink to remove Freeman’s voice from a Visa ad campaign that
was running as part of its announcements, The Guardian writes.

Actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, which handed Freeman a lifetime
achievement award last year, is also looking into the
allegations.

A spokesperson for the union said: “These are compelling and
devastating allegations which are absolutely contrary to all the
steps that we are taking to ensure a safe work environment for the
professionals in this industry.

“Any accused person has the right to due process, but it is our
starting point to believe the courageous voices who come forward to
report incidents of harassment.

“Given Mr Freeman recently received one of our union’s most
prestigious honours recognising his body of work, we are therefore
reviewing what corrective actions may be warranted at this
time.”