Theatre that Spacey ran for 11 years sets up confidential channel for anyone who would like to make a complaint

The Old Vic theatre has expressed “deep dismay” at sexual assault allegations made against its former boss, Kevin Spacey, and has set up a confidential complaints process for anyone who would like to come forward.

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The statement was made as the TV company Netflix said it was suspending production of its flagship series House of Cards following the allegations made against its star.

The channel had previously said the show would end after the conclusion of its current series but took the decision on Tuesday to stop production immediately.

Spacey has been accused of making a drunken sexual advance to a 14-year-old boy in 1986, when he was 26. He responded by claiming to have no memory of the incident but apologised and came out as gay.

The Old Vic in London, where Spacey was artistic director for 11 years until 2015, initially released a brief statement saying it had received no complaints of improper behaviour during or after his tenure.

On Tuesday it went further. A statement read: “The Old Vic would like to respond to recent media reports by making it clear that we are deeply dismayed to hear the allegations ... against Kevin Spacey, who was artistic director from 2004–15.

“Inappropriate behaviour by anyone working at The Old Vic is completely unacceptable. We aim to foster a safe and supportive environment without prejudice, harassment or bullying of any sort, at any level, as set out in our joint statement with the theatre industry on 23 October. We want our employees to feel confident, valued and proud to be part of the Old Vic family. Any behaviour we become aware of [that] contravenes these goals will not be tolerated.

“If you have been connected with the Old Vic or in our employment and feel you have a complaint that you were unable to raise, please contact us on confidential@oldvictheatre.com. Any experience shared will be treated in the utmost confidence and with sensitivity. We have appointed external advisers to help us deal with any information received.”

The theatre’s statement was made as a second man came forward to allege Spacey had behaved inappropriately. Tony Montana, a film-maker, has accused Spacey of groping him in a Los Angeles pub in 2003.

Montana told the LA entertainment and gossip website Radar Online that Spacey grabbed him by the crotch as he was at the bar ordering a drink. “He was telling me to come with him, to leave the bar. He put his hand on my crotch forcefully and grabbed my whole package.”

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The Hollywood star then allegedly told Montana: “This designates ownership.” Montana claims he was then followed to the toilet by Spacey and had to push him away. Montana says he never told anyone about the incident apart from therapists.

The claims follow allegations made by Anthony Rapp, an actor in Star Trek: Discovery, that Spacey assaulted him in 1986.

Within hours of the allegations emerging, Spacey had posted a statement on Twitter in which he apologised and publicly came out, provoking a huge backlash from voices in the gay community. The actor Zachary Quinto, who starred alongside Spacey in the 2011 film Margin Call, added his criticism, calling it “deeply sad and troubling” how Spacey had chosen to come out.

Quinto said Spacey was not standing up as a point of pride, inspiring LGBTQ kids. He was instead coming out “as a calculated manipulation to deflect attention from the very serious accusation that he attempted to molest one”. The actor Alan Cumming called Spacey’s statement “just wrong on every level”.

The allegations are having an effect on Spacey professionally. He had been due to be the recipient of a special Emmy award next month but the International TV Academy on Tuesday said it was withdrawing the award “in light of recent events”.

Meanwhile, Netflix announced that the sixth series of House of Cards, in which Spacey stars as the manipulative, ruthless politician Frank Underwood, would be the last. The company said the decision was made months ago but that it found the current allegations “deeply troubling”. On Tuesday Netflix went further and said that production on the sixth series was being suspended.

Representatives for Spacey have yet to comment on the latest developments.