Moses Farrow defends Woody Allen: ‘He did not sexually abuse my sister’

The claims, first made during a custody battle in 1993, resurfaced after Dylan Farrow wrote an open letter to The New York Times

Dylan Farrow and Woody Allen, pictured in 1988 (Rex)

Moses Farrow has defended his father Woody Allen against repeat allegations made by his sister Dylan Farrow that he sexually assaulted her.

The claims, first made during a custody battle in 1993, resurfaced after the film-maker’s adopted daughter wrote an open letter to The New York Times detailing the alleged abuse. The claims were reiterated by her mother Mia Farrow, and brother Ronan Farrow, who openly supported her on Twitter during Allen’s Lifetime Achievement acceptance at the Golden Globes.

But Moses Farrow denied any knowledge of her claims, telling People magazine: “My mother drummed it into me to hate my father for tearing apart the family and sexually molesting my sister.

"And I hated him for her for years. I see now that this was a vengeful way to pay him back for falling in love with Soon-Yi [Previn]."

Mia Farrow and Allen separated in 1992 after the actress discovered naked pictured of Allen and her adopted daughter from her previous relationship with André Previn, Soon-Yi.

Woody Allen Makes Defiant First Public Appearance Since Allegations

At the time, Soon-Yi was only 20-years-old – 34 years younger than Allen.

Allen and Soon-Yi went on to marry in 1997, and are still together today. They have two adopted children together.

"Of course Woody did not molest my sister. She loved him and looked forward to seeing him when he would visit," Moses continued.

"She never hid from him until our mother succeeded in creating the atmosphere of fear and hate towards him.

"The day in question, there were six or seven of us in the house. We were all in public rooms and no-one, not my father or sister, was off in any private spaces. My mother was conveniently out shopping.

"I don't know if my sister really believes she was molested or is trying to please her mother. Pleasing my mother was very powerful motivation because to be on her wrong side was horrible.

He went on to claim that he was often "hit" by Mia as a child, and called on Dylan to "assert her independence" from her mother. Mia, he says, had given her a "false impression that she has been molested by my father".

Cate Blanchett And Alec Baldwin Respond To Allen Abuse Claims

However, Dylan was quick to respond to Moses’ comments.

"This is such a betrayal to me and my whole family," she told People.

"My memories are the truth and they are mine and I will live with that for the rest of my life.

"My mother never coached me. She never planted false memories in my brain. My memories are mine. I remember them."

She continued: "She was distraught when I told her. When I came forward with my story she was hoping against hope that I had made it up

"In one of the most heartbreaking conversations I have ever had, she sat me down and asked me if I was telling the truth. She said that Dad said he didn't do anything and I said, 'He's lying'."

"My brother is dead to me," she added. "My mother is so brave and so courageous and taught me what it means to be strong and brave and tell the truth even in the face of these monstrous lies."

Woody Allen has denied all allegations of sexual abuse made by Dylan Farrow.

Woody Allen Responds To Dylan Farrow's Open Letter

Grace Dent On Dylan Farrow Claims: We Refuse To Believe Our Idols Could Do Something Bad

In Full: Dylan Farrow's Open Letter To The New York Times