Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow say Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed them

Representatives of Weinstein have denied allegations made against him

Gwyneth Paltrow (Getty Images for Nordstrom)

Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have said Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed them when they were young actresses, lengthening the list of those accusing the producer of sexual assault and misconduct.

When Ms Paltrow was 22 years old, Mr Weinstein hired her to play the lead in his company's adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Emma.

Before shooting began, Ms Paltrow met the producer at his suite in the Pennsylvania Beverly Hills hotel for a work meeting. It ended with Mr Weinstein placing his hands on her and suggesting they go to the bedroom for massages, Ms Paltrow told the New York Times.

“I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified,” she said.

Ms Jolie also alleged to the Times that she had a bad experience with Mr Weinstein in her youth, during the release of Playing by Heart in the late 1990s. Ms Jolie said Mr Weinstein made unwanted advances on her in a hotel room, which she rejected.

As a result, Ms Jolie “chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did,” she said in an email to the Times. “This behaviour towards women in any field, any country is unacceptable.”

A spokesperson for Mr Weinstein did not immediately respond to The Independent's request for comment.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Weinstein's spokeswoman, Sallie Hofmeister, told the Times: “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr Weinstein. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. He will not be available for further comments, as he is taking the time to focus on his family, on getting counselling and rebuilding his life.”