The board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has stripped disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of his membership in the organisation.

The move comes after a New York Times report that alleged decades of sexual misbehaviour by Weinstein, and a New Yorker story that brought more disturbing details to light, including allegations of rape. Further accusations came to light throughout the week.

The academy said its board had "voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority" to expel Weinstein. The film academy's 54-member board of governors includes such industry luminaries as Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kathleen Kennedy and Whoopi Goldberg.

"We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behaviour and workplace harassment in our industry is over," the statement said.