Kevin Spacey has said he will “voluntarily” appear in the UK to defend himself against charges of sexual assault.
The actor, 62, is to be charged with four counts of sexual assault against three men, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced this month.
He faces another charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
The alleged incidents took place in London between March 2005 and August 2008 and in Gloucestershire in April 2013.
Spacey has now responded to the allegations, saying he is “confident” he can prove his innocence.
“I very much appreciate the Crown Prosecution Service’s statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise,” he told Good Morning America through a spokesperson.
“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.”
One of the world’s best-known actors, Spacey won Oscars for his roles in The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, and a Golden Globe for his performance in political thriller series House Of Cards – the final season of which was filmed without him.
Announcing the UK charges, Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said they followed a review of evidence gathered by a Metropolitan Police investigation.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial,” she said.
