Judi Dench's controversial 'forgiving' comment about sex offender Harvey Weinstein sparks backlash

Judi Dench has found herself in hot water with fans this week following a series of controversial comments she made this week in support of disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

Allegations against the 79-year-old media mogul - some dating back to the 1970s - were made by victims in 2017, with over 80 women coming forward with similarly heinous encounters during the investigation.

The claims against Weinstein also sparked the #MeToo movement, aimed at highlighting sexual violence across the film industry and the wider world.

At the time, Dench quickly condemned his 'horrifying' crimes, claiming she was 'completely unaware' of them, despite simultaneously acknowledging that Weinstein 'helped and championed my film career' in years gone by.

Weinstein was convicted in 2020 (Etienne Laurent-Pool/Getty Images)

"I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered, and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out," she continued.

Now, the 90-year-old film star has spoken to Radio Times in a new interview on Monday (8 Dec) about Weinstein's 2020 sexual abuse sentence, which saw him jailed in New York for 23 years for several rape and assault convictions.

Weinstein was subsequently extradited to Los Angeles, where a subsequent trial saw him handed another 16 year sentence.

In April of this year, however, the New York Court of Appeals overturned his initial conviction due to 'egregious errors', and he was retried. Despite being acquitted on other sex charges, he was found guilty of an assault.

In a shocking statement that hasn't gone down too well online, Dench confessed she feels that the Miramax co-founder has 'done his time' behind bars, and supports this year's overturning.

"I don’t know, to me it’s personal - forgiveness," the Academy Award winner claimed. "I saw a bit of film of Harvey walking with two sticks and you think, 'Well…'.

Dench previously condemned Weinstein's 'horrifying' crimes (Scott Wintrow/Getty Images)

"I knew Harvey and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience - very fortunately for me."

As we say, Dench's comments have since caused quite the stir online, with critics claiming she's in no position to offer out forgiveness.

"No-- forgiveness is for their actual victims, not from 'friends,'" one disgruntled X (formerly Twitter) user hit out.

Another questioned: "Why is a semi-retired, 90 year old Judi Dench being asked about this…?"

"Just an absolute and stunning lack of compassion for the suffering of Weinstein's other victims," a third continued.

"Sometimes it is better to keep your opinions to yourself. This is one of those times," wrote a fourth.

Weinstein has since released a statement, thanking Dench for her latest remarks.

A spokesperson for the sex offender told TMZ: "I’ve now spent more than six and a half years incarcerated, including a year and a half in Rikers, which could be considered double time.

Dench has sparked backlash for her remarks (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI)

"I am here for something I did not do, and many of the claims that have been written about me are gradually being shown to be untrue or unsupported."

Of the actress, Weinstein claimed: "I am grateful for the kind words that have been expressed, and all I want is the chance to return to my family and children. She is an extraordinary person who played an important role in my career."