Los Angeles: Harvey Weinstein will take an indefinite leave from his film company as it conducts an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations against one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.

The Weinstein Company board of representatives said in a statement that it takes "extremely seriously" the accusations made in the New York Times story that said Weinstein had made eight settlements with women who had accused him of unwanted physical contact and sexual harassment over three decades.

Weinstein, one of Hollywood's best-known figures, has produced or distributed Oscar-winning movies including Shakespeare in Love and Chicago.

Weinstein Co board representatives on Friday called it "essential" to company culture "that all women who work for it or have any dealings with it or any of our executives are treated with respect and have no experience of harassment or discrimination".