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Morgan Freeman Says He's 'Devastated' Life Is At Risk Of 'Being Undermined' Following Sexual Harassment Claims

Morgan Freeman Says He's 'Devastated' Life Is At Risk Of 'Being Undermined' Following Sexual Harassment Claims

The actor has released a statement following recent allegations of sexual misconduct

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Actor Morgan Freeman has released a second statement following the recent allegations of sexual misconduct made against by eight women.

In the statement the 80-year-old actor said he is 'devastated' that his 'life is at risk of being undermined', but went on to apologise to any of the women he may have 'unintentionally' upset. Adding that he 'did not offer employment of advancement in exchange for sex'.

PA

In the lengthy statement given to Sky News, he said: "I am devastated that 80 years of my life is at risk of being undermined, in the blink of an eye, by Thursday's media reports.

"All victims of assault and harassment deserve to be heard. And we need to listen to them. But it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humour.

"I admit that I am someone who feels a need to try and make women - and men - feel appreciated and at ease around me.

"As a part of that, I would often try to joke with and compliment women, in what I thought was a light-hearted and humorous way.

"Clearly I was not always coming across the way I intended. And that is why I apologised Thursday and will continue to apologise to anyone I might have upset, however unintentionally.

PA

"But I also want to be clear: I did not create unsafe work environments. I did not assault women. I did not offer employment or advancement in exchange for sex. Any suggestion that I did so is completely false."

His latest statements comes after CNN published an article in which it spoke to 16 people who claimed to have either been victims of or witnessed Freeman's 'inappropriate behaviour'.

One of the women spoken to for the article accused the actor of attempting to lift her skirt up and asking her if she was wearing underwear.

Another woman claimed that Freeman 'sexually harassed her and her female assistant on numerous occasions by making comments about their bodies'.

PA

This is the second statement Freeman has made following the allegations, in the first he told Sky News: "Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy.

"I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected - that was never my intent."

Sources: Sky News; CNN

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Morgan Freeman