NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lawyer Charles Harder has withdrawn from the legal team of Harvey Weinstein, said a source familiar with the matter on Sunday.

The New York Times reported on Oct 5 that Weinstein, 65, had reached eight previously undisclosed settlements with women who accused him of sexual harassment.

When the report was published, Weinstein released an initial statement to the paper apologising for his behaviour.

Mr Harder subsequently put out a statement saying the story was defamatory because it relied on "mostly hearsay accounts and a faulty report".

Mr Harder is most well-known for representing professional wrestler Hulk Hogan who sued Gawker Media, which previously owned Gawker.com, for defamation.