Charles Dutoit
(c) ICMA /Martin Hoffmeister
Associated Press, the agency that first published accusations over sexual misconduct from conductor Charles Dutoit now published the news, that Dutoit denied the allegations in a statement through his secretariate on Saturday.
He called the accusations « shocking » and said « he did not recognize the man or the actions being described in the media. (…) …the accusations made involving forced physical contact have absolutely no basis in truth ». Dutoit now is considering legal advice.
Here is the complete text: « The allegations made against me are as shocking to me as they are to my friends and colleagues. I do not recognize the man or the actions being described in the media.
Whilst informal physical contact is commonplace in the arts world as a mutual gesture of friendship, the serious accusations made involving coercion and forced physical contact have absolutely no basis in truth.
I am taking legal advice and plan to meaningfully defend myself and I believe within this current climate, media accusations on serious physical abuse do not help society tackle these issues properly if the claims are in fact not true.”
