Ruari Cannon, an actor who publicly waived his right to anonymity, has reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with the Old Vic theatre in London over allegations of sexual assault by Kevin Spacey. The settlement was mutually agreed upon without any admission of liability, as stated by the theatre, aiming to avoid the costs and impacts of prolonged litigation.
Details of the Allegations and Settlement
Cannon claimed that Spacey assaulted him on two separate occasions: once at a theatre after-party held at the Savoy hotel and another time at the Old Vic's theatre bar. These incidents allegedly occurred during Spacey's tenure as artistic director at the Old Vic. Spacey has consistently denied all allegations of non-consensual contact.
In a joint statement, the Old Vic emphasized that the settlement terms are confidential and that no further comments will be made. This development comes amidst ongoing legal battles involving Spacey, who was acquitted of sexual offences in a 2023 criminal trial but faces civil lawsuits from multiple individuals.
Broader Legal Context and Ongoing Cases
Despite this settlement, Cannon is continuing to sue Spacey directly in the High Court in London. Additionally, two other individuals, who testified in Spacey's 2023 trial, are also pursuing civil cases against him. One complainant alleged assault while working as a driver for Spacey, and another reported waking up to an assault after visiting Spacey's flat following a meeting at the Old Vic.
Lawyers for the three men recently requested the High Court to allow evidence from seven other accusers, including one incident dating back to the 1970s, and to consolidate the cases into a single trial rather than separate proceedings. A judge has deferred a decision on this matter, with trials scheduled to begin in November.
Spacey's career has been significantly impacted by these allegations; he was removed from projects such as House of Cards and All the Money in the World after initial accusations surfaced in 2017. The actor, known for Oscar-winning roles in American Beauty and The Usual Suspects, maintains his innocence throughout these legal challenges.
