Kevin Spacey tells a jury that the allegations against him are either "madness", "make no logical sense", or are a "stab in the back"
The Hollywood actor says he is "big flirt" and describes his encounters with two of the alleged victims as "comfortable", while insisting "nothing happened" with a third
Spacey says an aspiring actor's claims that he drugged him and performed a sex act on him while he was asleep are false
The actor accepts touching a man but tells the court: "It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way"
Spacey gets emotional in the witness box as he describes how he lost his job after an article was published with allegations against him
The actor denies 12 sex offences against four men between 2001 and 2013
All four accusers are entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law
The trial continues
Michael Sheils McNamee
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
Gibbs is talking about the efforts Spacey’s defence team have made in tracking down witnesses in the case.
This includes in relation to the allegation related to a charity event, and information available on social media.
Michael Sheils McNamee
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
Patrick Gibbs KC, defending Kevin Spacey, opens with some remarks to the jury.
He reminds them of a reference he made at an earlier time to “obstacles” in the way of the truth.
He says these obstacles are "rumour, fame, and how fame makes people behave towards you, and secrecy, and shame, and sexual confusion".
Michael Sheils McNamee
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
Justice Mark Wall has now entered the court along with the jury.
Michael Sheils McNamee
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
Spacey is being led into the dock now, exchanging a few words with the security guard.
He is remaining on his feet while waiting for the judge to enter.
Frankie McCamley
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
The defence barrister for Kevin Spacey has arrived in court - Patrick Gibbs KC.
Spacey has walked into court wearing glasses and a dark suit and blue tie.
The prosecution team have also arrived in court and taken their seats.
We’re just waiting for the judge now, Justice Mark Wall.
Frankie McCamley
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
Kevin Spacey arrived at court just before 09:00 BST this morning to a couple of dozen reporters and camera crews.
The press benches are full, with others in an overspill court - journalists are here from around the world, including right here in the UK, the US and Europe.
Today is an important day in the trial as Spacey’s defence team are due to start giving evidence. He may give evidence himself, but we will only know that as and when it happens.
At the beginning of the trial Spacey's lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, said his client "strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case".
He said the defendant had returned to the UK "to establish his innocence" and "proceed with his life".
Frankie McCamley
Reporting from Southwark Crown Court
Court has opened and press being allowed in to locate seats.
The witness stand at Southwark Crown Court is in fact a desk with a swivel office chair in front of the judge’s bench.
Court sketch artists are taking their position next to where Kevin Spacey could shortly be giving evidence.
Image source, PA MediaBorn Kevin Spacey Fowler, the American actor, is 63-years-old.
Spacey began his career in theatre before moving into film and television - winning the Oscar for best actor for his role in the 1999 film, American Beauty.
Other films that gained him success include The Usual Suspects - which he also won an Oscar for - and Seven.
He also appeared in Netflix's long-running political series House of Cards.
Spacey was appointed as artistic director of London’s The Old Vic theatre in 2004, a position he held until 2015.
Spacey came out as gay in 2017, saying: “I choose now to live as a gay man”.
In January, he was given a lifetime achievement award in Italy in recognition of his “contribution to the development of the art of drama”.
The actor faces charges of twelve allegations of sexual offences.
These charges include:
The allegations date from between 2001-2013.
As we've said in earlier posts, Spacey denies all charges.
Image source, PA MediaSpacey was seen arriving at Southwark Crown Court, where the trial is taking place, around an hour ago
The House of Cards actor was labelled a “sexual bully” when the proceedings began last month.
Over the course of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, each of Spacey’s accusers have given evidence, variously describing the actor as a “vile sexual predator”, “slippery” and “atrocious, despicable, disgusting”.
One complainant alleges the actor "aggressively" grabbed his crotch "like a cobra" while in a West End theatre
Another, an aspiring actor, claimed he woke up to the star performing a sex act on him.
Spacey denies all the charges against him, and today we’ll hear his defence team set out their response to the accusations.
Nathan Williams
Live reporter
Hello and thanks for joining us as we prepare to hear from Kevin Spacey’s team, who are due to set out their case for the defence in his trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Prosecutors have concluded their case against the Hollywood star, which covers 12 sex offences against four men between 2001 and 2013.
Spacey denies all the charges.
I'm here at New Broadcasting House, in central London, ready to bring you all the latest - with colleagues reporting from inside the courtroom. Stay with us.