A performer who has accused acclaimed Hollywood figure Kevin Spacey of sexual assault has concluded a confidential civil settlement with the renowned London performing arts institution The Old Vic, marking another development in a series of legal proceedings connected to allegations involving the actor.
Ruari Cannon, who has chosen to publicly identify himself rather than retain the legal anonymity typically afforded to complainants in such cases, previously worked as an actor at the historic theatre during the period when Spacey served as the venue’s artistic director. Cannon alleges that he was sexually assaulted by Spacey on two separate occasions connected to events associated with the theatre.
According to the claim, one incident occurred during a post performance celebration held at the prestigious Savoy Hotel in London, where Cannon asserts that the alleged assault took place during an after party attended by theatre figures. He further alleges that another episode happened at a bar located within the premises of The Old Vic itself during a different occasion linked to theatre activities.
In a brief formal announcement, The Old Vic confirmed that the matter between the institution and Cannon has now been resolved through a mutually negotiated settlement outside the courtroom. The theatre explained that the precise terms of the agreement remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed publicly.
The statement released by the theatre emphasized that the settlement was reached without any admission of legal responsibility by the institution. It explained that the resolution was agreed upon after considering the financial burden and broader personal consequences that could arise from extended litigation for all parties involved.
The theatre also indicated that the wording of the statement had been jointly approved by both sides and added that neither Cannon nor the organisation would provide further public remarks concerning the agreement.
Despite the conclusion of the dispute with The Old Vic, Cannon’s legal action against Spacey himself remains active. The case is currently progressing before the High Court of Justice in London, where the actor faces civil claims arising from the same alleged incidents.
Cannon is not the only claimant pursuing legal action against the Oscar winning actor. Two additional individuals, whose identities remain legally protected, have also initiated civil proceedings against Spacey. Their allegations had previously been examined during criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
Those criminal charges culminated in a high profile trial during July 2023 in which Spacey was cleared of all criminal allegations brought against him. The verdict allowed the actor to avoid criminal liability; however, the civil lawsuits brought by the claimants continue independently within the courts.
One of the anonymous claimants asserts that Spacey sexually assaulted him while the man was employed as a driver. Another alleges that after meeting the actor at The Old Vic he visited Spacey’s private residence and later regained consciousness to discover what he claims was an ongoing sexual assault. The claimant states that he does not recall how he lost consciousness or fell asleep before the alleged incident occurred.
Spacey has consistently rejected all allegations of non consensual conduct made against him. His legal team maintains that any interactions with the claimants were consensual and disputes the accounts presented by the accusers.
During a recent hearing at the High Court in London, legal representatives acting for the three claimants argued that testimony from several additional witnesses should be considered when the civil case proceeds to trial. Lawyers for the claimants say seven individuals are prepared to provide evidence describing what they claim was comparable misconduct by Spacey.
Counsel for the claimants, Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel, told the court that the accounts from these witnesses reveal what she characterized as a recurring pattern of behaviour. According to her submission, the testimony demonstrates what she described as a consistent propensity toward particular conduct including sexual assault.
She further argued that multiple witnesses describe situations in which Spacey allegedly cultivated friendly or professional relationships with younger men before later engaging in alleged misconduct. In her submission to the court, she stated that many of the individuals involved were young men who admired the actor and were drawn into his professional orbit within the entertainment industry.
Gumbel told the court that the claimants maintain Spacey used the authority and prestige associated with his celebrity status to exert influence over individuals who regarded him with admiration.
Attorneys representing Spacey strongly challenged that argument. Defence counsel William McCormick told the court that the claimants were attempting to construct a narrative of repeated misconduct despite significant differences among the allegations being presented.
McCormick argued that the alleged incidents described by the claimants were too dissimilar to establish a legally recognizable pattern of behaviour. He maintained that simply presenting other allegations of sexual assault would not automatically support the credibility of the current claims.
According to his submission, for such testimony to be admissible it would need to demonstrate a level of similarity that is unusually distinctive or strikingly consistent across the various accounts.
The proceedings were overseen by Mrs Justice Lambert, who indicated that the court would deliver a ruling at a later stage on whether the additional witness testimony should be permitted and whether the three civil claims should be heard together within a single trial rather than in separate proceedings.
The decision will determine how the high profile civil litigation involving the acclaimed yet controversial actor proceeds in the coming months.
