Lisa Nandy Summons Media Chiefs After Allegations Against David Walliams
UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy has summoned senior media and entertainment figures after allegations against David Walliams, who denies wrongdoing. Ministers say the industry must show it can protect women and children, or face government action, including possible legislation.
UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy has summoned senior figures from the media and entertainment industries after allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming against comedian and author David Walliams, in a week when Russell Brand was jailed. Ministers will ask whether the industry is doing enough to keep people safe.
Nandy described the claims as the “latest in a long line of reported abuses of power”. She is expected to meet leaders from TV, film, publishing and possibly sport next week. Which organisations she will see has not been announced.
Ultimatum to the industry
The government hopes the sectors will strengthen protections voluntarily, but it could act if it judges their efforts insufficient. One government official said: “The instinct is that Lisa would like the industries to show they are about to sort this out themselves, but we are not squeamish about stepping in if that does not happen.”
One option, if legislation is needed, would be to make it compulsory for companies to join the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority. The body handles bullying and harassment complaints in the sector through confidential whistleblowing.
Media minister Ian Murray told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee he was “deeply saddened and also angry”. He said: “It’s a cultural problem and that culture has to change.”
Andy Burnham’s official spokesperson called the allegations “deeply troubling”. He said every organisation should “look hard at whether they are doing enough to keep people safe”.
The allegations
Walliams, 55, has been accused of sexually inappropriate behaviour by a number of women. Two of them said he “groomed” them when they were 15. He denies any wrongdoing and says: “I am not a sexual predator.”
His lawyers went to the High Court to try to stop publication of the claims. The court rejected the attempt. The allegations emerged a day after Brand, 51, was jailed for 10-and-a-half years for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.
Justice secretary Alex Norris told a parliamentary committee there was “a lot of concern” about powerful men using the legal system to silence accusers. That includes injunctions and non-disclosure agreements.
Olivia Bailey, the Labour MP who chairs the Commons women and equalities committee, called for proper funding for the standards authority. She also wants the existing ban on NDAs silencing harassment complaints extended beyond freelancers to volunteers and fans.
Reaction from TV
Presenter Jonathan Ross said he was “horrified” by the revelations about Walliams and Brand. He said he was “genuinely unaware of their conduct” while on friendly terms with both men.
Ross also said he had made a joke about a 15-year-old “going home” with Walliams when he hosted the British comedy awards in 2004. Sky said it has dropped Walliams’ film Fing! because the allegations are “extremely serious”.
The Metropolitan Police said it contacted the outlets that published the claims so any potential victims know how to report criminal allegations. The force has not said it is carrying out a criminal investigation.
Bailey said it was time to “end the culture of silence”.
