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Milly Stokes

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Milly Stokes

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Alec Baldwin criticises ‘unfair’ Woody Allen backlash

Written by on 17/01/2018

Alec Baldwin has called the backlash by a group of actors against director Woody Allen “sad and unfair”.

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His response comes as a growing number of stars apologise for having previously worked with Allen, due to decades-long accusations of sexual assault by the director’s adoptive daughter.

Allen has repeatedly denied all accusations.

Over the last few weeks, several actors including Rebecca Hall and Timothee Chalamet have donated the whole of their salaries earned while shooting for the acclaimed director to charities like the Time’s Up campaign to fight sexual harassment.

“Woody Allen was investigated forensically by two states (NY and CT) and no charges were filed,” Baldwin wrote on Twitter as a response.

“The renunciation of him and his work, no doubt, has some purpose. But it’s unfair and sad to me. I worked w WA 3 times and it was one of the privileges of my career.

“Is it possible to support survivors of paedophilia and sexual assault/abuse and also believe that WA is innocent?
I think so.

“The intention is not to dismiss or ignore such complaints. But accusing ppl of such crimes should be treated carefully. On behalf of the victims, as well.”

In 2014, Allen’s adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow wrote an op-ed for The New York Times accusing him of molesting her when she was seven-years-old.

Accusations have been backed up by her brother Ronan and mother Mia Farrow, whom Allen accuses of coaching her daughter against him.

“Of course, I did not molest Dylan,” Allen said as he denied the accusations.

“I loved her and hope one day she will grasp how she has been cheated out of having a loving father and exploited by a mother more interested in her own festering anger than her daughter’s well-being.”

This isn’t the first time Baldwin has weighted on the subject of sexual harassment and assault.

In November, he criticised the MeToo movement, warning of a possible “witch-hunt” atmosphere – an opinion shared by other stars including Allen.

Baldwin’s comments in November led to an aggressive online backlash, and ultimately drove him to close his personal Twitter account.

Tuesday’s comments on the Allen case were made through his foundation’s social media account.

“WA’s talent has nothing to do with it,” he said in response to criticism from one of his Twitter followers.

“This is a charge that was investigated aggressively and resulted in…nothing. What would it take for you to at least consider that he is telling the truth?”

(c) Sky News 2018: Alec Baldwin criticises ‘unfair’ Woody Allen backlash