Jeremy Irons: Women can cope with butt touching

Jeremy Irons says women should be able to “deal with” men touching their butt.

The 62-year-old actor, famed for roles in films such as The Man in the Iron Mask and Stealing Beauty, has slammed political correctness with controversial remarks regarding the opposite sex.

According to Jeremy, patting a lady on the behind is just “friendly”, and shouldn’t lead to accusations of sexual harassment.

"There are too many people in power with too little to do so they churn out laws to justify their jobs.

"Most people are robust. If a man puts his hand on a woman's bottom, any woman worth her salt can deal with it,” he told the Radio Times. "It's communication. Can't we be friendly?"

Jeremy is married to 63-year-old actress Sinéad Cusack, with the actor admitting his wife often despairs at his outspoken nature. The star won’t apologise for being opinionated though, and doesn’t worry about what others think.

"Sinéad criticises me for being too frank. But that's the only way I can be.

"I am what I am and I do what I do," he asserted.