Kevin Spacey pleads not guilty to latest abuse claims

Actor appears by videolink in London court to enter plea

Spacey at a pre-trial hearing at district court in Nantucket, Massachusetts in June 2019. AP

Kevin Spacey arrives to face a charge of sexual assault at Nantucket District Court in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on January 7, 2019. Reuters

Spacey remained silent during his appearance at Nantucket District Court. Reuters

Spacey won a best supporting actor Academy Award for his work portraying the limping criminal Verbal Kint in 1995’s 'The Usual Suspects'. Courtesy MGM Studios

Spacey stands in district court during arraignment on a charge of indecent assault and battery in Nantucket. The Inquirer and Mirror / AP

Spacey in 'House of Cards'. Photo: Netflix / AP

Spacey arrives at Nantucket District Court in Massachusetts on January 7, 2019. Reuters

Spacey accepts a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama with 'House of Cards'. AFP

Spacey as Richard III in a version of the Shakespeare play directed by Sam Mendes in 2012 at The Old Vic Theatre in London. AP

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey on Friday pleaded not guilty in a London court to charges that he that sexually abused a man in the early 2000s.

He appeared by videolink before Southwark Crown Court in south London.

In his brief appearance, the American Beauty and House of Cards star stated his full name — Kevin Spacey Fowler — and entered his plea.

Judge Mark Wall approved the request to combine the seven charges with an earlier five, which include four of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

Spacey pleaded not guilty to those five charges last July.

The new charges are three of indecent assault, three of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The trial is set to begin on June 6, and at that time, all charges will be considered.

A New York court dismissed a $40 million sexual misconduct lawsuit brought on by actor Anthony Rapp, who alleged Spacey had assaulted him when he was 14.

Once the director of London's Old Vic Theatre between 2004 and 2015, Spacey’s reputation took a hit in 2017 after several allegations of sexual abuse were lodged against him.

Although he has not been convicted of any crime, his House of Cards character was written off the show. Spacey won three Emmys and a Bafta for his turn as politician Frank Underwood in that series.

He was also sacked from the lead in Peter Soos's coming historical drama 1242: Gateway to the West, although Italian director Louis Nero and the producers for Peter Five Eight are standing by the actor.

“In Italy, we don't know the details on everything, so we don't speak about what we don't know,” Mr Nero told Entertainment Weekly. “I cannot speak about these things. I only know that Kevin is a great actor. That was my concern, and no more than that.”

Agencies contributed to this report