Harvey Weinstein is FIRED from his own film company amid sexual harassment claims

Actor Nathan Lane alleged that Weinstein threw him against a wall after he made a joke about then-New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's hair in 2000.

The star of The Producers was master of ceremonies for a birthday party for Hillary Clinton when he claims the mogul shouted: "This is my f***ing show, we don't need you."

The 61-year-old Broadway star, speaking at the New Yorker Festival on Saturday, said he told Weinstein: "You can't hurt me, I don't have a film career."

I came of age in the 60s and 70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.

I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office - or out of it. To anyone.

I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed.

I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologise for it.

Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment.

My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons. Over the last year I've asked Lisa Bloom to tutor me and she's put together a team of people.

I've brought on therapists and I plan to take a leave of absence from my company and to deal with this issue head on.

I so respect all women and regret what happened.

I hope that my actions will speak louder than words and that one day we will all be able to earn their trust and sit down together with Lisa to learn more.

Jay Z wrote in 4:44 "I'm not the man I thought I was and I better be that man for my children." The same is true for me. I want a second chance in the community but I know I've got work to do to earn it. I have goals that are now priorities.

Trust me, this isn't an overnight process. I've been trying to do this for ten years and this is a wake-up call. I cannot be more remorseful about the people I hurt and I plan to do right by all of them.

I am going to need a place to channel that anger so I've decided that I'm going to give the NRA my full attention.

I hope Wayne LaPierre will enjoy his retirement party. I'm going to do it at the same place I had my Bar Mitzvah.

I'm making a movie about our President, perhaps we can make it a joint retirement party.

One year ago, I began organising a $5million foundation to give scholarships to women directors at USC.

While this might seem coincidental, it has been in the works for a year. It will be named after my mom and I won't disappoint her.

Harvey Weinstein and I have had many wide ranging conversations over the last year about rumors and allegations against him.

He denies many of the accusations as patently false.

Nevertheless, I have explained to him that due to the power difference between a major studio head like him and most others in the industry, whatever his motives, some of his words and behaviors can be perceived as inappropriate, even intimidating.

As a women’s rights advocate, I have been blunt with Harvey and he has listened to me.

I have told him that times have changed, it is 2017, and he needs to evolve to a higher standard. I have found Harvey to be refreshingly candid and receptive to my message.

He has acknowledged mistakes he has made. He is reading books and going to therapy. He is an old dinosaur learning new ways.

He wants to reach out to any of the women who may have issues with him to talk to them in a respectful, peaceful way, with me present if that is acceptable to them.

He has been working on a major foundation with USC with one of the largest grants for female directors, which started well over a year ago.

And as we work together on a project bringing my book to the screen, he has always been respectful toward me.

He is deeply bothered by his some of his emotional responses. He has been working on his temper for over ten years and is chagrined the issue still plagues him.

He recognizes he needs time off to focus on this issue and has much to learn. He wants to reach out to teachers with expertise in this area.

Harvey is not going to demean or attack any of the women making accusations against him, although he does dispute many of the allegations. Instead, he is going to use this as a painful learning experience to grow into a better man.

I will continue to work with him personally for as long as it takes.

In addition, Harvey has asked me to do a comprehensive review of his company’s policies and practices regarding women in the workplace.

I will make recommendations to ensure that gender equality and zero tolerance for workplace misconduct aren’t just goals, but a reality.