Elizabeth Hurley says Harvey Weinstein has "never asked me to massage him" in the 22 years she’s known him.
The 52-year-old actress insisted the Hollywood producer – who has been accused of sexually harassing a number of female employees for almost three decades – hasn’t ever made inappropriate advances towards her but admitted it is "horrible" if the claims are true.
She said: "I’ve known Harvey for 22 years and I can honestly say, he certainly never asked me to massage him.
"Of course, if he has done those things, it’s horrible, and I feel very sorry for those women."
The ‘Bedazzled’ actress hasn’t ever heard anything about Harvey – who was fired from his own Weinstein Company following the allegations – being "predatory", and hasn’t ever come across a so-called casting couch incident, in which sexual favours are said to be exchanged for a job.
She said: "I lived in Hollywood for 10 years and I made a lot of movies there, and I’ve never encountered a casting couch situation. Ever.
"I don’t know if I look like someone who would give a karate chop if they … I don’t know – I never have.
"Of course, I’ve always heard … not about Harvey, as it happens, no. But of course we’ve always heard that there are predatory people in every business. Hollywood, of course, everywhere."
The ‘Royals’ star believes such issues are a worldwide "problem".
Talking about men and women speaking out about Hollywood, she added to Sky News: "I think it’s not a Hollywood problem per se. I think it’s possibly a world problem. It’s a bigger issue."
Several stars have condemned Harvey, including Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet, but Donna Karan defended Harvey, suggesting women who dress sensually could be "asking for it".
But she has since insisted her comments were "taken out of context" and said sorry to anyone she had "offended".
Harvey has denied claims published by the New York Times newspaper earlier this month that he had harassed at least eight female employees over a 30-year time span and has vowed to take legal action.
However, he admitted to behaving inappropriately with some of his female colleagues in the past and apologised for his actions.
Elizabeth Hurley: Harvey Weinstein hasn’t asked me for massage
