The actress Judi Dench has has said that the work of Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein should not be shunned in the light of the sexual misconduct allegations made against them.
The 84-year-old acting legend has argued that their work should not be forgotten after they were both accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, however she did not defend their alleged behaviour.
Spacey's scenes in Ridley Scott's completed film All the Money in the World were subsequently removed, with Christopher Plummer replacing Spacey in the role.
In an interview with Radio Times, she said of Spacey's treatment: "What kind of agony is that?
"Are we going to negate ten years at the Old Vic and everything that he (Spacey) did (as artistic director) - how wonderful he's been in all those films?
"Are we just not going to see all those films that Harvey produced? You cannot deny somebody a talent.
"You might as well never look at a Caravaggio painting (he was a murderer). You might as well never have gone to see Noel Coward (accused of predatory behaviour)."
Dench previously said she "can't approve, in any way" of Kevin Spacey's scenes being removed from All the Money in the World.
She starred opposite Spacey in 2001's The Shipping News shortly after the death of her husband, Michael Williams. She said her fellow Oscar winner Spacey was an "inestimable comfort and never mentioned he knew I was in a bad way" while making the film.
Spacey has faced over 30 sexual assault and misconduct allegations since late 2017, with the the first made by fellow actor Anthony Rapp. He has denied the allegations.
More than 70 women have accused Weinstein, the co-founder of the Miramax film studio and the Weinstein Co, of sexual misconduct, including rape, with some allegations dating back decades. He has denied having nonconsensual sex with anyone.
