Weinstein accused of harassment and threats by Salma Hayek

Hollywood star Salma Hayek has become the latest actress to speak out against film producer Harvey Weinstein, accusing him of sexual harassment and branding him a "monster".

The Mexican-born 51-year-old hit out at the Hollywood mogul in a revealing article published in the New York Times, detailing alleged sexual harassment, bullying and threats made against her.

She claimed he once told her: "I will kill you, don't think I can't."

The actress, who said she was inspired to share her experiences after others came forward, wrote about her time working on the 2002 film Frida – in which she played Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Hayek said she was initially pleased to work with Weinstein but claimed she soon found herself rejecting sexual advances from the producer.

She said that when she spurned his advances, that "with every refusal came Harvey's Machiavellian rage".

The actress accused Weinstein of threatening to axe the film and claimed he pressured her into doing a sex scene with another woman in the film.

Hayek said she had a "nervous breakdown" when she came to shoot the scene.

In the piece, she wrote that Weinstein was a "passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster".

She added: "I never showed Harvey how terrified I was of him… Until there is equality in our industry, with men and women having the same value in every aspect of it, our community will continue to be a fertile ground for predators."

Weinstein's spokeswoman Holly Baird has since issued a statement on his behalf disputing Hayek's claims.

It said: "Mr Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female co-star and he was not there for the filming.

"All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired."

The latest claims come after more than 50 women accused the 65-year-old of sexual harassment or assault over the past three decades.

Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations against the film producer.

Weinstein has strongly denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.