Kevin Spacey makes rare appearance at Piers Morgan’s Christmas party ahead of civil trial claims
Spacey attends a London party as three men prepare High Court civil claims alleging sexual assault; he denies the allegations and a 2026 trial is planned.
Kevin Spacey made a rare public appearance at Piers Morgan's annual Christmas party in London on Friday, stepping out ahead of a High Court civil trial in 2026 in which three men allege he sexually assaulted them between 2000 and 2015. The actor, 66, was previously cleared in a 2023 criminal trial of nine charges connected to four men, and he denies the new allegations.
The party took place at the Scarsdale Tavern in Kensington, where Spacey arrived wearing a navy tweed suit and a zip up sweater and appeared in good spirits as photographers captured him at the door. The guest list for the festive gathering included broadcaster Piers Morgan and other celebrities such as Myleene Klass, Ronan Keating and Susanna Reid.
Three men have filed High Court claims alleging sexual assault by Spacey in the period from 2000 to 2015. One claimant, Ruari Cannon, has waived anonymity; two others have not. The claims say the encounters occurred while Spacey was artistic director at the Old Vic Theatre in London. Cannon has separate legal action against the Old Vic as well as Spacey. Spacey has repeatedly denied the allegations.
In court filings, Elizabeth-Ann Gumbel KC, representing the claimants, said the cases should be heard together in a single consolidated hearing to avoid duplicative testimony for the actor. The procedural approach would mean the claims and any related issues would be resolved in one proceeding rather than three separate ones.
Spacey has used social media to address speculation about his housing situation in recent days. In an Instagram message posted ahead of the party, he described remarks about living in Airbnbs and hotels as mischaracterized, and said he has been working nonstop this year and is grateful while also acknowledging the plight of people who are actually homeless or in difficult financial circumstances.
Spacey was acquitted in 2023 on nine sexual offences connected to four men in a criminal case. The civil actions challenge Spacey in a different forum and with different standards of proof, and they are scheduled to be heard in 2026 in London.
The party was also attended by other figures in British media and entertainment, underscoring Spacey’s continued, though frequently contested, public profile. The sighting at the Scarsdale event comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the actor’s career and the legal disputes surrounding him.