It was conducted before Al Porter hit headlines for inappropriate behaviour with other men.
Before all of the allegations came out against Al Porter, Hot Press Magazine was about to release an exclusive interview with the star where he gives his thoughts on the ‘spate of sex scandals’.
Included in the questions were those of groping without consent and the #MeToo campaign.
Here are Al’s answers to all of those questions as featured in Hot Press:
Al on the dramatic spate of sex scandals, “We’re at a watershed moment culturally where what is seen as decent and acceptable behavior is going to change, but it is important that we note that this is the defining moment and, going forward, I think a lot of people are going to change their behaviour.”
On groping someone against their consent, Al categorically states, “I don’t care how provocatively a woman dresses, or how late at night she arranged to have a business meeting with you. Or whether it was in your hotel room or not. If you’re grabbing her and she doesn’t want it, you’re in the wrong.”
On the general issue of ‘groping’, Al Porter says, “I would hate to tar a comedian with that brush, but it is my experience that if you are in a gay bar, if I had a euro for every time I was grabbed or pulled or somebody laid a kiss on me and I wasn’t expecting it at all. That kinda thing happens for right or wrong.”
On the #Metoo drive, Al says, “What I would be worried about is that #metoo drags people into that group that don’t belong in it. I know that might sound like I’m defending these people but I’m not. I’m just saying equally, actually victims of abuse have to use this moment to have their voice and to try and give a sober comment on it because there is no point getting caught up in hysteria either. Trial by media isn’t a good thing.”
The full interview is out now in the latest Hot Press Magazine.
