Meryl Streep has responded to criticism from Rose McGowan, insisting she was not “deliberately silent” about sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein, it is reported.
Over the weekend, McGowan - who alleges she was raped by Weinstein in 1997 - hit out at reports that some actresses were planning to wear all black to next month's Golden Globes in protest against the Hollywood abuse scandal that has emerged in recent months.
In a since-deleted tweet, McGowan was said to have disapproved of the “silent protest”, saying: “YOUR SILENCE is THE problem”, and criticising “actresses like Meryl Streep” for working with producer Weinstein.
In a statement to HuffPost, Streep said it “hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines” and that she “wanted to let her know the truth”.
Saying she was unaware of Weinstein's alleged behaviour, the statement added: “He needed me much more than I needed him and he made sure I didn't know.”
Streep, who has appeared in several films distributed by Weinstein's former studio, including The Iron Lady and August: Osage County, added: “I am truly sorry she sees me as an adversary, because we are both, together with all the women in our business, standing in defiance of the same implacable foe.”
The film producer, 65, has been accused of sexual harassment by dozens of women - including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Lupita Nyong'o and Angelina Jolie - and is currently under investigation in four cities.
He has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
PA
