X-Men alum Sir Ian McKellen drew criticism last month when he made comments that were interpreted as defending alleged sexual abusers Bryan Singer and Kevin Spacey. The actor has now apologized for those remarks.

"As part of an extended podcast recently, I suggested that if closeted people were instead open about their sexuality they wouldn’t abuse others," McKellen wrote on Twitter, "That, of course, is wrong. My intention was to encourage the LGBT audience I was addressing, to be proud and open about their sexuality. In doing so, my point was clumsily expressed. I would never, ever trivialise or condone abuse of any kind."

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"I deeply regret my careless remarks and apologise unreservedly for any distress I caused," he continued "When it comes to abuse by people in positions of power, the correct response is clear. The accusers must be heard and the accused given the opportunity to clear their names. If the accusations prove credible, the abuser’s access to power should be removed."

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In December, a lawsuit was filed against Singer for raping a seventeen-year-old boy in 2003. Then, in January 2019, an expose was published by The Atlantic accusing Singer of years of sexual misconduct with underage boys. In response, Singer denied all allegations, dismissing The Atlantic article as "a homophobic smear piece."

(via The Mary Sue)