Kirstie Alley calls out Hollywood 'witch hunt'

Kirstie Allen and Harvey Weinstein. Photos / Getty

Actress Kirstie Alley has slammed "the mob" who have been going after Hollywood's sexual predators, claiming the situation has spiralled into a "witch hunt."

Over the past month, entertainment heavyweights including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Louis C.K. have been forced to step down from their roles amid a wave of accusations of sexual harassment and assault, often dating back years.

But Alley, 66, has taken to Twitter to decry the public response, accusing her industry colleagues of playing judge, jury and executioner.

"I'm an advocate of courts of law 4 [sic] criminal matters," the Veronica's Closet star tweeted.

"Also innocent until proven guilty is a fairly sane concept that I'm pretty sure each of us would like to be afforded.

"Rumours cause witch-hunts. Seems OK to be part of the mob until U become the next witch."

She later added: "We all believe things we know NOTHING about at times & would be quick to pull the trigger out of disgust & anger. This is why we have judges & juries instead of stonings & stake burnings ... guess we are attempting justice."

I'm an advocate of courts of law 4 criminal matters. Also innocent until proven guilty is a fairly sane concept that I'm pretty sure each of us would like to be afforded. Rumors cause witchhunts. Seems ok to be part of the mob until U become the next witch.

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) November 10, 2017

We livin in the wild Wild West

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) November 10, 2017

We all believe things we know NOTHING about at times & would be be quick to pull the trigger out of disgust & anger. This is why we have judges & juries instead of stonings & stake burnings.. guess we are attempting justice.

— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) November 10, 2017

Since the New York Times and The New Yorker first published allegations of sexual harassment and rape against Harvey Weinstein by dozens of women, including Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow, the disgraced movie mogul has been fired from his own company, stripped of his Academy membership and is now being investigated by police.

The scandal sparked a widespread discussion about sexual misconduct within the entertainment industry, and prompted others to come forward with accusations against powerful men including actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K.

Spacey has since been axed from House of Cards, and sensationally replaced from a completed film by Christopher Plummer, while Netflix has cancelled Louis C.K.'s planned stand-up special, and his new feature film has been put on hold.