Björk has claimed she was sexually harassed by a film director, following the flood of allegations against US producer Harvey Weinstein.

In a post on her Facebook page, the Icelandic musician said she “became aware” that “it is a universal thing that a director can touch and harass his actresses at will and the institution of film allows it”.

The musician did not name the film-maker, but said he had “a staff of dozens who enabled ... and encouraged” his behaviour.

She did identify him as Danish, leading many to assume she was referring to Lars Von Trier, who directed the only feature film Bjork has starred in, Dancer in the Dark. Von Trier’s assistant told Rolling Stone: “Lars declines the accusations Björk has made, but doesn’t wish to comment any further.”



“When I turned the director down repeatedly he sulked and punished me” and “framed [me] as the difficult one”, Bjork added.

She said she was able to walk away from the incident because she had “no ambitions in the acting world” but said she “worried” for others who did not.

The singer, whose career has spanned four decades, said she was inspired to come forward “by the women everywhere who are speaking up online” about sexual assault.

In the separate case of Weinstein, an avalanche of claims have surfaced since the publication of a report by the New York Times alleging a history of abusive behaviour by the US producer dating back decades.

Björk has previously spoken out against the media for “sexism” in its coverage of women.