Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is set to face new charges for alleged indecent assault in the UK

The 70 year old American is currently serving a 23 year prison sentence in the United States following a string of sexual assault cases.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK announced that it had authorised Metropolitan Police to charge the Hollywood filmmaking heavyweight on two counts of indecent assault.

The alleged assaults took place in London in August 1996, but both counts against one woman who’s identity has not been publicly released.

The alleged victim would be aged in her 50s today.

The Crown Prosecution Service also put out in their statement

“That criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”

The Service stressed that media and commentary or information posted online should not prejudice any proceedings.

What happens next for Weinstein as a result of these latest British charges?

What happens next isn’t clear at this point.

Formal charges by Metropolitan Police would have to be laid before anything else can happen following this recommendation from the CPS.

Harvey Weinstein was convicted of a string of historic sexual assault charges in the USA – several years ago was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

He began his sentence in New York State in 2020, but he was extradited to California in 2021 to face charges of a different trial and is currently still awaiting that.

Whether he would be extradited to the UK to face a court here is unknown at this point.

The CPS also at pains to point out that its recommendation is not a finding of guilt or innocence.

Simply an independent, fair and objective assessment about whether it is appropriate for something to go to a criminal court in the UK.

The CPS Special Crimes division usually deals with serious criminal allegations – often against high profile individuals, or election offences.