Kevin Spacey to ‘voluntarily appear’ in UK court over sexual assault charges
Actor was reported to be facing extradition if he refused to show
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Kevin Spacey said he will “voluntarily appear” before a UK court on sexual offence charges.
The House of Cards actor, 62, was last week charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) with four counts of sexual assault and one count of causing penetrative sexual activity without consent.
He was reportedly under threat of being extradited to Britain if he declined to appear voluntarily.
In a statement provided to US television programme Good Morning America on Tuesday, Mr Spacey said: “I very much appreciate the [CPS] statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise.
“While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”
The CPS brought five charges against Mr Spacey on Thursday after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Four were sexual assault charges in connection with incidents involving three men, now in their thirties and forties. One man accused the actor of two assaults in London in March 2005, another accused him of an assault in London in 2008 and another accused him of an assault in Gloucestershire in April 2013.
He was also charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent in London in August 2008. The complainant in this charge is the same as the 2008 assault claim.
On Sunday, The Guardian reported Mr Spacey faced extradition to the UK if he did not return voluntarily. The paper cited an official familiar with the process as saying US police may have soon been sent to detain the actor on behalf of British authorities.
Mr Spacey is a two-time Oscar winner and known for starring roles in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and Netflix political drama House Of Cards.
He was artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London from 2004-15.
The actor’s new film Peter Five Eight – his first leading role in five years – was screened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month.
Producers of the noir drama defended him against the charges when they were announced, saying: “While it’s unfortunate that increased negative press is timed with Kevin returning to work, it’s also to be expected.”
They added: “The production has no knowledge or comment on the various swirling allegations, and believe it’s a matter for the courts to determine validity if it exists. Peter Five Eight is a film for fans who care more for the art than the scandal.”