Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick denies rape allegation

Actress claims the incident took place three years ago

Ed Westwick attends the BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea Party party in Beverly Hills on 16 September, 2017 (AFP/Getty)

Ed Westwick has denied sexually assaulting actress Kristina Cohen after she detailed on Facebook an alleged encounter with the Gossip Girl and White Gold star.

In the post, written on Monday night, Cohen claimed she was introduced to Westwick at his house three years ago by a producer she was dating at the time.

The actress alleges that she awoke from a nap in a guest bedroom to find herself being assaulted, her account being inspired by other women who have spoken up recently about alleged sexual abuse and harassment in Hollywood.

"I do not know this woman," Westwick wrote on Twitter.

"I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape."

A British born actor residing in Los Angeles, Westwick made his name as a main character in The CW drama Gossip Girl which ran between 2007 and 2012.

He made his feature film debut in 2006's Children of Men and is currently starring in BBC Two comedy series, White Gold.

The Independent has reached out to a representative for Westwick for further comment.