In a latest development on the Harvey Weinstein sexual scandal, France President, Emmanuel Macron has requested relevant authorities to strip the disgraced movie producer of his highly coveted Légion d ’Honneur award.
The French leader made the announcement in a televised interview on Sunday night, as part of his effort to give a sound explanation of his various policies in the midst of his massive labour reforms.
“Yes, I have indeed taken steps to withdraw the Légion d ’Horner, I wish as these acts lack the honour, that we take all the consequences”.
The Legion of Honour, full name, National Order of the Legion of Honour (French: Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. Membership in the Légion d’Honneur is restricted to French nationals. Foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds, could also receive a distinction of the Légion, which is nearly the same thing as membership in the Légion. Foreign nationals who live abroad may equally be awarded a distinction of any rank or dignity in the Légion.
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Americans who have won the award includes former first lady and diplomat Eleanor Roosevelt (1951), novelist Toni Morrison (2010) and celebrated singer and songwriter Bob Dylan (2013).
Harvey Weinstein was awarded the honour in 2012 at the behest of President Nicolas Sarkozy for Weinstein’s contributions to world cinema and as part of French tradition of awarding the prize to international celebrities.
However, the prize can be revoked according to laid down rules in the face of “unbecoming behaviour”. For French members, the penalty as a result of such behaviour can lead to an official reprimand, a suspension or an outright exclusion from the order, while foreign recipients would only see their prize withdrawn.
In 2012, British fashion designer John Galliano was stripped of his prize over his anti-Semitic comments .
Macron’s decision is premised on the increasing allegations of sexual assault by Harvey Weinstein including an ongoing London investigation into new allegations from a woman who told them that the Hollywood producer assaulted her in 2010, 2011 and 2015.
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