JOHN OLIVER has confronted Dustin Hoffman in a tense public discussion about allegations of sexual harassment that have been made against the actor.

Hoffman defended himself after Anna Graham Hunter alleged he groped her on a film set when she was 17 in 1985. The actor questioned Graham Hunter’s claims, asking Oliver: “Do you believe this stuff that you’re reading?”

Hoffman said the HBO talk show host was not keeping an “open mind” and was unquestionably believing the accusers. “I believe what she wrote, yes,” Oliver replied. “Because there’s no point in her lying.” The actor countered: “Well, there’s a point in her not bringing it up for 40 years.”

Oliver was hosting a panel discussion in New York to mark the 20th anniversary of Hoffman’s film “Wag the Dog.”

Oliver said he wasn’t sure whether to broach the subject of the allegations but decided he’d end up “hating” himself if he didn’t.

Hunter published her account of her encounters with Hoffman in The Hollywood Reporter in November.

The veteran star responded at the time by putting out a statement saying: “I have the utmost respect for women and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have put her in an uncomfortable situation. I am sorry. It is not reflective of who I am.” (SD-Agencies)