The list of allegations against Harvey Weinstein continues to grow steadily longer: more than 100 women have accused the disgraced Hollywood producer of sexual harassment, assault and misconduct. Thirteen of these women – including Rose McGowan and Asia Argento – have accused him of rape.

Now, in a candid new interview, Cate Blanchett has revealed that Weinstein sexually harassed and behaved inappropriately toward her, too.

“I think he really primarily preyed, like most predators, on the vulnerable,” she explained to Variety. “I mean, I got a bad feeling from him… . He would often say to me, ‘We’re not friends.’”

When asked to elaborate, Blanchett said she “wouldn’t do what he was asking me to do,” but declined to give more specific details.

“I’m really interested in the people who have transgressed in ways that are beyond the bounds of offensive,” she continued, “what people like Harvey have done, and there are men across many industries [who have done that].

“He’s been held up as an exemplar because he’s unfortunately typical of certain men. I’m interested in those people being prosecuted. We have to set a legal precedent.”

Blanchett continued: “Part of the mission of Time’s Up is to help those who do not have the capacity to raise the funds to defend themselves and to move toward workplace equality, fairness and safety.

“When legal precedent is set by people being actually convicted, then other people can benefit from that because those precedents have been set. But me fuelling the gossip and accounts? There’s enough out there.”

She added that she hopes Weinstein is found guilty of his crimes and sent to prison, insisting: “Statutory rape is a crime, the last time I looked.

“I think it’s really important that people get tried through the judicial system. It’s a really important arm of democracy that we must uphold because it’s under threat from a lot of different quarters.”

Weinstein, of course, has denied all claims of non-consensual sex. In a recent statement, his lawyers suggested that some of the women accusing Weinstein of assault may have simply regretted their decision to sleep with him after the fact.

“Mr Weinstein has never at any time committed an act of sexual assault, and it is wrong and irresponsible to conflate claims of impolitic behaviour or consensual sexual contact later regretted, with an untrue claim of criminal conduct,” the producer’s attorneys told People.

“There is a wide canyon between mere allegation and truth, and we are confident that any sober calculation of the facts will prove no legal wrongdoing occurred.

“Nonetheless, to those offended by Mr. Weinstein’s behaviour, he remains deeply apologetic.”

For more on the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment in Hollywood and beyond, click here.

Image: Getty