Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein has spoken out about the sexual harassment claims made against him in a shock New York Times article.
Yesterday (October 5), the Times reported allegations that Weinstein had quietly settled numerous claims of sexual harassment or unwanted physical contact over the last three decades.
And now in his first interview since the allegations were made public, Weinstein has admitted to "a whole way of behaviour that is not good", but also hit out at what he deems to be "conjecture" in the Times' reporting.
Talking to Page Six, the long-time Hollywood influencer said that he "bears responsibility" for his actions but is still launching legal action against the New York Times.
"The reason I am suing is because of the Times' inability to be honest with me, and their reckless reporting. They told me lies. They made assumptions," he said.
"The Times had a deal with us that they would tell us about the people they had on the record in the story, so we could respond appropriately, but they didn't live up to the bargain."
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He added that wife Georgina Chapman (pictured below) and attorney Lisa Bloom will now be helping him "to be a better human being and to apologise to people for [his] bad behaviour, to say [he's] sorry, and to absolutely mean it".
Weinstein continued: "In the past I used to compliment people, and some took it as me being sexual, I won't do that again.
"I have got to change, I've got to grow, I've got to deal with my personality, I've got to work on my temper, I have got to dig deep.
"I am going to fix myself, I am going to fix how I deal with women and how I deal with my temper and power."
Referencing actress Ashley Judd, who has claimed on record that she was inappropriately propositioned by a bathrobe-clad Weinstein, Harvey suggested that she was "going through a tough time".
He told the publication: "I know Ashley Judd is going through a tough time right now. I read her book in which she talks about being the victim of sexual abuse and depression as a child.
"Her life story was brutal, and I have to respect her. In a year from now I am going to reach out to her."
For its part, the New York Times remains "confident in the accuracy" of its story, with a spokesperson saying: "Mr Weinstein was aware and able to respond to specific allegations in our story before publication. In fact, we published his response in full."
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