Ian McKellen apologises for remarks about Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer

London — Actor Ian McKellen has apologised for remarks in which he appeared to suggest that allegations of sexual abuse that have been levelled against Kevin Spacey and Bryan Singer resulted from the entertainers' unease with their own sexuality.

McKellen tweeted on Saturday that comments made during the live #QueerAF podcast were "clumsily expressed." He said "I suggested that if closeted people were instead open about their sexuality they wouldn't abuse others. That, of course, is wrong."

He went on to say that he "would never, ever trivialise or condone abuse of any kind. I deeply regret my careless remarks and apologise unreservedly for any distress I caused."

SEE THE TWEETS HERE:

1/4 As part of an extended podcast recently, I suggested that if closeted people were instead open about their sexuality they wouldn’t abuse others. That, of course, is wrong. pic.twitter.com/9k6KLH2hx9

— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) March 2, 2019

Both Spacey and Singer have denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.