At the end of last year, famed photographer Bruce Weber came under the spotlight. Not for a new exhibition opening or being the recipient of an award, but for being named in a sexual harassment lawsuit by former model Jason Boyce.

As we previously reported, the complaint claims that Weber locked himself and the model in a room during a casting, kissed him and put his fingers in his mouth. Boyce says that Weber told him: “If you just had confidence, you’d go really far,” and asked: “How far do you want to make it? How ambitious are you?” The model claims he was asked to take off his shirt and underwear and that Weber guided him to touch both his own genitals and those of the photographer. Boyce was suing for $2m in damages, and in the suit also named Jason Kanner, founder of his ex-agency Soul Artist Management as well as and Little Bear Inc, the production company run by Weber’s wife Nan Bush.

Although at the time he did not respond to requests for comment, the photographer has now come out on Instagram to defend himself, writing: “I unequivocally deny these charges and will vigorously defend myself... I am confident that, in due time, the truth will prevail.” 

Social media had been quick to believe Boyce – beloved fashion editor Grace Coddington recently came under fire for posting an image of her and Weber, which many followers interpreted to be indicative of her support for him. She later removed the post. 

And although his statement says he is grateful for the “outpouring of support” he has received, it seems that perhaps not everyone has been as forthcoming as Coddington. “I would love to hear from you” Weber commented on Donatella Versace’s Christmas Day Instagram post. 

Read Weber’s statement in full below.