Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has been fired from his film studio The Weinstein Company following reports in the US media that he sexually harassed women over several decades.
In a statement released last night the board of The Weinstein Company said: "In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company - Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar - have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately."
Mr Weinstein's sacking came after the New York Times published a report earlier this week that alleged the producer, whose company produced such hits as The King's Speech and Django Unchained, preyed on young women hoping to break into the film industry.
The accusers say Mr Weinstein pressured them to massage him, watch him naked and promised to help advance their careers in exchange for sexual favours.
In a statement, Mr Weinstein - a staunch US Democratic campaign fundraiser who backed Hillary Clinton in her presidential bid - said he respected all women and was hoping for a second chance, while acknowledging he had "work to do to earn it".
Mr Weinstein is considered a powerhouse in Hollywood and many of his movies have picked up Oscars over the years, including Good Will Hunting and The Artist.
He formed the Miramax production house in the late 1970s with his brother and then sold it to Disney.
