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Old Vic settles High Court claim with Kevin Spacey sexual assault accuser
London’s Old Vic has settled a High Court claim with an actor who alleges that Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted him while working as the theatre’s artistic director.
Ruari Cannon claims that Mr Spacey assaulted him in 2013 at an event related to the production of Tennessee Williams’s play Sweet Bird Of Youth.
Mr Cannon, who has waived his right to anonymity, is taking legal action against the Hollywood actor at the High Court. Mr Spacey has denied the allegations.
Mr Cannon also had a separate claim against the Old Vic. However, that was settled on Tuesday, the theatre announced.
“Ruari Cannon and The Old Vic have reached a mutually agreed out-of-court settlement, the precise terms of which are confidential,” An Old Vic spokesperson said.
“This settlement has been agreed without any admission of liability, having regard to the costs and impact on all parties of continuing litigation.
“This statement has been mutually agreed and there will be no further comment.”
Two other men, who are anonymous, are also taking legal action against Mr Spacey, who is defending the claims.
All three say that he abused them at times between 2000 and 2015.
In 2023, Mr Spacey was acquitted of nine sex offences relating to four men.
Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, for the trio, told a High Court hearing on Tuesday that seven other people who allege they were sexually assaulted by Mr Spacey wish to give evidence without bringing a claim.
She said Mr Spacey has “a propensity to sexually assault young men” and that additional witnesses would show this.
The barrister told the court: “Evidence from other men of similar incidents occurring, all of whom have not spoken to each other or been in contact, some of them have simply contacted my instructing solicitors for the first time, do show a propensity and do add weight and are helpful in showing whether the three cases these claimants rely on can be proved.”
In written submissions, Ms Gumbel said many of the witnesses worked as young actors, massage therapists or drivers and were “placed in positions of proximity” to Mr Spacey through their work.
William McCormick KC, for Mr Spacey, said in written submissions that for the witnesses’ allegations to be included, each of them must be relevant to the specific circumstances of those at the centre of the legal claims.
He said that one man, referred to as GHI, alleged that Mr Spacey drugged him after a meeting in August 2008 and that he woke up in the actor’s flat while being assaulted.
The man also said Mr Spacey called his phone and answered it while he was unconscious to make it seem like he had left his flat already, the barrister added.
Mr McCormick said: “None of the other allegations have any probative force in favour of GHI’s allegation.
“None bears any similarity to what GHI alleges.
“The location, the preceding contact and the nature of the sexual conduct are entirely different.
“The use of drugs to secure compliance and of the phone to manufacture a defence have no echo in any other allegation.”
The hearing, before Mrs Justice Lambert, is due to conclude on Wednesday.