"Not intentional": Morgan Freeman apologises over sexual harassment claims by eight women
Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman has apologised after being accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by over eight women.
In a statement made on on Thursday morning, the 80-year-old told the media, 'Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy. I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent,' he added.
It came after a piece that was published by leading media, detailing allegations of misconduct by eight different women as a result of which Freeman was dropped as the voice of Vancouver Public Transport.
'In light of information we’ve learned this morning of allegations regarding actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has decided to pause his voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on our transit system,'the organization said.
According to reports, the Screen Actors Guild is also considering stripping him of the lifetime achievement award he won in January. Its spokesman said in a statement, '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.'
The allegations include the claims made by a young production assistant who alleges Freeman, tried to lift up her skirt repeatedly in 2015.
Only one woman who claims to have been mistreated by him was named. She is Chloe Melas, a CNN reporter who wrote the article who claims Freeman called her 'ripe' and told her: 'Boy I want to be there' as she interviewed him while six months pregnant in 2017.
Other women said he behaved like a 'creepy uncle' at Revelations Entertainment, his production company, and that his unwanted glances and treatment of them forced them to stop wearing skirts or dresses in the office.