Harvey Weinstein expelled by Oscars academy: Statement

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has expelled Harvey Weinstein, it said on Saturday, amid mounting sexual harassment, assault and rape accusations against the disgraced Hollywood mogul.

An emergency meeting of its board “voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority,” it said in a statement.

“We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over,” the statement read.

An avalanche of claims have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive New York Times report alleging a history of abusive behavior by Weinstein dating back decades.

On Thursday, American actress Rose McGowan became the fourth woman to accuse the 65-year-old movie mogul of raping her.

“What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society,” said the Academy.

“The board continues to work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all Academy members will be expected to exemplify.”