Kevin Spacey: House of Cards creator Beau Willimon responds to sexual harassment allegations

The creator of Netflix series House of Cards has issued a statement on social media regarding the sexual misconduct allegations against Kevin Spacey.

Beau Willimon offered his support to Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp who accused Spacey of sexually assaulting him when he was 14 years old.

“Anthony Rapp’s story is deeply troubling,” Willimon wrote on Twitter. “During the time I worked with Kevin Spacey on House of Cards, I neither witnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behaviour on set or off.

“That said, I take reports of such behaviour seriously and this is no exception. I feel for Mr. Rapp and I support his courage.”

Rapp, who was previously best known for leading both the film Rent, alleges that Spacey climbed on top of him at a party when Spacey was 26.

“He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold,” Rapp told BuzzFeed. “But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.”

Spacey has since issued a statement on the accusations, saying: "I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago.

"But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years."

The House of Cards and American Beauty actor then revealed he is gay, writing: "I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man."

Spacey's decision to reveal his sexuality alongside the apology has proven controversial, many Hollywood commentators criticising the statement.