House of Cards creator Beau Willimon has addressed the allegation that Kevin Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance against a then-child actor, calling it "deeply troubling".
Late on Sunday (US time), Spacey offered his "sincerest apology" to Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp, after Rapp came forward with an allegation that Spacey made an unwanted pass at him in 1986 when he was 14 years old.
The now-46-year-old Rapp said that Spacey placed him on a bed and climbed on top of him at a party at his home, making the child actor "aware that [Spacey] was trying to get with [him] sexually" at that time.
Spacey's former House of Cards boss Beau Willimon, who is also currently the president of the Writers Guild of America East, released a statement on Monday (October 30) in response to Rapp's allegations.
"Anthony Rapp's story is deeply troubling," Willimon wrote. "During the time I worked with Kevin on House of Cards, I neither witnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behaviour on set or off.
"That said, I take reports of such behaviour seriously, and this is no exception. I feel for Mr Rapp and I support his courage."
Willimon departed the Netflix political drama series following its fourth season, turning over the creative reins to Frank Pugliese and Melissa James Gibson.
In addition to his public apology, Spacey also used his response as an opportunity to come out as gay, a decision that has led to yet more controversy.
"I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago," he wrote in his 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.
"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."
Among those critical of the timing of Spacey's coming out is Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto, who accused the actor of making a "calculated manipulation to deflect attention".
"I am sorry that Kevin only saw fit to acknowledge his truth when he thought it would serve him," Quinto added. "Just as denial served him for so many years."
