Kevin Spacey has made an apology after Star Trek: Discovery star Anthony Rapp accused him of making a 'sexual advance' on him when he was just 14.
The House of Cards actor posted a statement to Twitter on Monday (October 30) saying that he could not remember the alleged encounter after a party in New York in 1986, but offered "the sincerest apology".
Spacey also said the story had encouraged him to "address other things about my life", and also came out as gay in his statement addressing Rapp's allegations.
Spacey, who was 26 at the time, said "If I did behave then as he described", it was likely "deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour," for which he sincerely apologises.
Now 46 years old, Rapp alleges that when he was a child star, Spacey invited him to his apartment for a party and at the end of the night picked him up, placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him, making a sexual advance but he managed to push him off before leaving.
Rapp told Buzzfeed News he believed Spacey was "trying to seduce me", and Rapp was also "aware that he was trying to get with me sexually".
Spacey said he has "a lot of respect and admiration" for Rapp, and is "beyond horrified to hear his story".
"I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago," he said in his Twitter statement.
"But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all those years."
He added: "I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fuelled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy.
"As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women.
"I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life and I choose now to live as a gay man.
"I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour."
Rapp's claims come after allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein prompted many people to speak out about their experiences of sexual harassment and abuse.
