The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised four sexual assault charges against US actor Kevin Spacey.
The alleged incidents took place in London between March 2005 and August 2008, and in Gloucestershire in April 2013.
It follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its previous investigation into the actor.
Kevin Spacey
WikiCommons
Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said in a statement: “The CPS has authorised criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men.
"The CPS has also authorised one charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The authority to charge follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation.
"The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial."
The news comes just a month after Spacey said allegations of sexual abuse made against him by actor Anthony Rapp are “absolutely false,” as his lawyers asked a US judge to have the case dropped.
The charges follows a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police
Kirsty O'Connor
The actor, 61, “categorically denied” the accusations and said he “did not harbour any sexual interest or desire in Mr Rapp at the time or since”.
Spacey has been in exile from Hollywood since Rapp accused him of the inappropriate behaviour in October 2017.
Rapp claimed he was the victim of an “unwanted sexual advance” at a party in 1986 when he was 14 years old.
Documents filed in New York in April claimed Spacey had surprised Rapp at the party by picking him up and putting him on a bed.
The documents said Spacey had then pushed his body weight against Rapp before the actor “wriggled out” with no resistance during the brief encounter.
Spacey said none of his interactions with Rapp had been “for the purpose of degrading or abusing him”.
“I categorically deny plaintiff Anthony Rapp’s claim that I sexually assaulted him or otherwise made a ‘sexual advance’ on him,” the 61-year-old said.
“I met Mr Rapp several decades ago. I never had a sexual encounter with Mr Rapp. Nor did I harbour any sexual interest or desire in Mr Rapp at that time or any time.
“Nor did I have physical contact with Mr Rapp or any other interaction with him that was for the purpose of sexual gratification of either me or him.
“Nor did I have any physical contact with Mr Rapp or any other interaction with him that was for the purpose of degrading or abusing him.
“Any suggestion otherwise by Mr Rapp or anyone else is absolutely false.”