UK’s Royal Ballet suspends star choreographer over sex claims

LONDON: Britain’s famed Royal Ballet Company has suspended its star choreographer over allegations of sexual misconduct against students, the Times reported Thursday. Artist in residence Liam Scarlett, 33, is accused of encouraging students to send him naked photographs, making inappropriate comments, touching them inappropriately and walking into dressing rooms while they were changing, according to the newspaper. The internal investigation is ongoing, and no conclusions have yet been drawn. “We were made aware of allegations relating to Liam Scarlett in August 2019,” the ballet company said in a statement. “The individual was immediately suspended and an independent disciplinary investigation opened.