Harvey Weinstein's lawyers have asked Judge James Burke to recuse himself from the producer's sexual assault trial, accusing him of being biased against their client and of having "presided over a courtroom animus towards the Defendant".

In a remarkable letter sent to the judge on Wednesday, they complained in particular about his reprimanding Weinstein the day before for having used his mobile phone.

Judge Burke told the 67-year-old on Tuesday: "Is this really the way you want to end up in jail for the rest of your life, by texting in violation of an order? Is it?"

Weinstein, 67, is currently on trial in New York City on five counts of rape and sexual assault. If convicted, he could face the rest of his life in jail.

Weinstein has always denied accusations of non consensual sex.