Weinstein effigy to be torched at British bonfire party

EDENBRIDGE: An effigy of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein will be torched this weekend as part of a British town´s Bonfire Night celebrations, organisers revealed on Wednesday.

The 11-metre (36-foot) effigy of a semi-naked Weinstein, showing him clutching an Oscar statuette in one hand and a bra in the other, will go up in flames on Saturday in Edenbridge, south of London.

Guy Fawkes Night, or Bonfire Night, is an annual event marking the foiling of a plot by Catholic conspirators to blow up Protestant king James I and the Houses of Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder on November 5, 1605.

It is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks displays either on November 5 or the nearest weekend, with effigies of the plotter Fawkes burned.

More than 50 women including stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Mira Sorvino have accused 65-year-old Weinstein of sexual abuse and harassment, although he denies forcing himself on anyone.

Police in New York, Los Angeles and London have all confirmed criminal investigations into Weinstein´s activities.

Edenbridge has been poking fun at topical famous figures for 20 years, torching effigies of them alongside the traditional Guy Fawkes.

Last year´s effigy was of then US presidential candidate Donald Trump and previous targets have included former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.