Harvey Weinstein, the 70-year-old former film producer sentenced in the United States to 23 years for sexual assault and abuse of women, has now also been indicted by the British judiciary for a sexual assault in London in August 1996.
“The charges were cleared against Weinstein, following the review of the allegations collected by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation,” said prosecutor Rosemary Ainslie. Thus a new proceeding is added against the former very powerful founder of Miramax – accused for the first time of assaults and sexual violence in an investigation by The New Yorker which started the ‘me too’ movement – who, after the conviction , recently confirmed on appeal, in New York is now on trial in Los Angeles, where he has to face the charges brought by ten women.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the indictment of Weinstein was given the green light following an examination of the evidence gathered by the London Metropolitan Police. British police previously reported that they were investigating multiple sexual assault allegations against Weinstein. Unlike many other countries, the UK does not have a prescription for rape or sexual assault.