Morgan Freeman's lawyer claims CNN sexual harassment report was 'built on fakery'

The lawyer of Morgan Freeman has requested that CNN retracts its report detailing sexual misconduct allegations against the actor.

Addressed to CNN president Jeff Zucker, the 10-page letter - which was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter - claims the article “inflicted serious injury” and defamed both Freeman's reputation and career.

“At a minimum, CNN immediately needs to issue a retraction and apologise to Mr Freeman through the same channels, and with the same level of attention, that it used to unjustly attack him on May 24,” Freeman's attorney Robert M. Schwartz writes. “CNN also needs to retract the portions of the story that concerns Lori McCreary and apologise to her for defaming and injuring her.”

Just last week, Freeman, 80, found himself at the centre of a report in which eight women accused him of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour on films sets and in the workplace. The actor issued two statements in response, on in which he apologised and denied any allegation of assault.

Schwartz also said an investigation has been launched into the story, sharing his findings in the letter. He claims that CNN journalist Chloe Melas “had no reasonable basis to have interpreted what Mr Freeman said or did at the Going In Style interview last year as having been directed at her or as any form of harassment.” He accused Melas of “baiting and prodding” these women “to say bad things” about Freeman.

CNN stands by its report, telling THR: “The unfounded accusations made by Mr Freeman’s lawyer are disappointing and are difficult to reconcile with Mr Freeman’s own public statements in the aftermath of the story. CNN stands by its reporting and will respond forcefully to any attempt by Mr Freeman or his representatives to intimidate us from covering this important public issue.”

Schwartz hit back with a statement accusing CNN of “gross misconduct in unjustifiably attacking” Freeman.

“We presented CNN with objective evidence, including videotapes and on-the-record denials by the claimed 'victims,' that the alleged incident that gave rise to the story never happened. We proved to CNN, beyond any doubt, that the whole story was built on fakery. The credibility of the entire CNN attack on Mr Freeman has now been undermined. And in choosing to ignore all of the evidence that we presented, CNN has confirmed our concerns about its reporters [and] its lack of oversight.