George Takei denies sexual assault allegation from 1981

Actor and LGBT campaigner George Takei has denied allegations of sexually assaulting a man in 1981, saying he finds the claim “bewildering”.

The Star Trek actor was accused of sexually assaulting a former model at his own home in 1981.

Former model and actor Scott R Brunton, who was 23 in 1981, claimed Takei had taken advantage of him.

George Takei denies sexual assault allegation from 1981

He alleged to the Hollywood Reporter: “This happened a long time ago, but I have never forgotten it.”

Adding that he was “suddenly very nervous” at telling the story he says he has told for years.

Brunton claimed he was working as a waiter in Hollywood when the alleged incident took place, that he had exchanged numbers with Takei after they bumped into each other in Greg’s Blue Dot Bar.

George Takei denies sexual assault allegation from 1981

He alleges that Takei called him and invited him out to dinner and the theatre, and that he was “upset and still in love with my boyfriend”, who he had just split up with.

“He was a great ear. He was very good about me spilling my heart on my sleeve,” says Brunton.

The former model claims he went back to Takei’s condo to have a couple of drinks but that he began “feeling very disoriented and dizzy”.

He claims he sat in a “giant yellow beanbag chair” and that he “must have passed out”.

“The next thing I remember I was coming to and he had my pants down around my ankles and he was groping my crotch and trying to get my underwear off and feeling me up at the same time, trying to get his hands down my underwear,” Brunton alleges.

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Brunton claims: “I came to and said, ‘What are you doing?!’ I said, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ He goes, ‘You need to relax. I am just trying to make you comfortable. Get comfortable.’ And I said, ‘No. I don’t want to do this.’ And I pushed him off and he said, ‘OK, fine.’ And I said I am going to go and he said, ‘If you feel you must. You’re in no condition to drive.’ I said, ‘I don’t care I want to go.’ So I managed to get my pants up and compose myself and I was just shocked. I walked out and went to my car until I felt well enough to drive home, and that was that.”

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The Hollywood Reporter also claims that four friends of Brunton had corroborated his account of the incident, saying they had been told about it years ago.

But Takei has denied that the incident took place, saying he is “shocked and bewildered” at the allegations.

George Takei denies sexual assault allegation from 1981

On Facebook, Takei wrote: “I’m writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Brunton. I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them.

“The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do. But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment.”

The actor adds: “Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago. But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful.

“Brad, who is 100 percent beside me on this, as my life partner of more than 30 years and now my husband, stands fully by my side. I cannot tell you how vital it has been to have his unwavering support and love in these difficult times.”

Ending with: “Thanks to many of you for all the kind words and trust. It means so much to us.”

The allegation against Takei comes as the latest in a string of allegations against celebrities of sexual misconduct.

(Netflix) House of Cards
(Netflix)

Yesterday, Ellen Page accused X-Men director Brett Ratner of sexually harassing her when she was 18.

Ratner, who has been accused of rape by former employee Melanie Kohler, allegedly told a woman standing next to Page: ‘You should f*** her to make her realise she’s gay.’

Kevin Spacey has also been accused of multiple incidents of inappropriate sexual behaviour since Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp accused him last week of making sexual advances on him when he was 14.

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