A new statement from the actress who is the subject of the Geoffrey Rush defamation case against The Daily Telegraph has been revealed, saying that the actor touched her inappropriately.
The allegations state that Rush “made groping gestures in the air” about actress Eryn-Jean Norvill’s torso during rehearsals for a theatre production of “King Lear” in October 2015.
It was also claimed that Rush made “comments which contained sexual innuendo” as well as “lewd gestures” toward her.
In addition, the documents allege that during a pre-performance in November 2015, the actor’s “hand traced across the side of the complainant’s right breast” and “touched the complainant’s lower back under her shirt to her waistline.”
Rush also allegedly repeated the action on another occasion and Norvill “told him to stop and he did.”
Following the incidents, it was claimed that Rush sent a text message to Norvill in June 2016, six months after the production, saying that he thought of her “more than is socially appropriate.”
The 67-year-old Oscar winner has denied all allegations, which are part of the documents submitted to an Australian court by Sydney-based newspaper The Daily Telegraph, whom Rush is suing for defamation over the story.
The Daily Telegraph and its reporter Jonathon Moran are pleading defence of truth now that the actress, who has joined the newspaper’s witness list, has provided their lawyers with a proper statement.
The case is set to go to trial on October 22.
