Northern Ireland

Liam Neeson claims Hollywood sexual harassment scandal has sparked a 'bit of a witch hunt'

Liam Neeson appeared on RTE's The Late, Late Show
Liam Neeson appeared on RTE's The Late, Late Show Liam Neeson appeared on RTE's The Late, Late Show

BALLYMENA-born actor Liam Neeson has claimed the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal has sparked a "bit of a witch hunt".

The 65-year-old Taken star was speaking on RTÉ's The Late Late Show about the controversy that has seen some of the biggest names in arts and entertainment accused of inappropriate behaviour.

He said some people are "being suddenly accused of touching some girl's knee or something and suddenly they're being dropped from their programme".

Neeson said he was "on the fence" about allegations levelled at Dustin Hoffman.

"When you're doing a play and you're with your family, other actors and technicians, you do silly things. You do silly things and it becomes superstitious – if you don't do it every night you think it's going to jinx the show," he said.

"I think Dustin Hoffman... I'm not saying I've done similar things like what he did. Apparently he touched a girl's breast and stuff, but it's childhood stuff."

Two actresses have accused Hoffman of groping and exposing himself in separate incidents.

Hoffman has rejected the allegations, saying they are "not reflective of who I am".

Neeson also defended US radio presenter and writer Garrison Keillor, who was dropped by Minnesota Public Radio last year over an allegation of "inappropriate behaviour".

He said of the #MeToo movement: "There is a movement happening and it's healthy and it's across every industry. The focus seems to be on Hollywood at the minute, but it's across every industry."

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer caused controversy on the same show on Friday when he suggested there is a difference between Irish immigrants and people from countries like Mexico entering the US.

"As an Irish American, someone who understands the trials and tribulations that so many Irish folk felt coming to America, I’m very proud of America’s history welcoming immigrants – immigrants have made our country what it is," he said.

US President Donald Trump has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border to clamp down on people entering the country.

When presenter Ryan Tubridy said: “If you replaced the word Mexican with Irish in 1845 and 2018?, Spicer smiled and said: “We wouldn’t be here.”

Tubridy responded by saying “That’s not funny”, prompting applause from the studio audience.

Meanwhile, in separate interview, Liam Neeson has revealed he keeps some of his money under his bed.

Asked about his latest role in the film The Commuter, which touches on the 2007 banking crisis, and what he learned from Ballymena farmers about being thrifty, he said: "Well, I keep my money under the bed. And I have done since 2009."