David Walliams Faces Police Investigation Over Sex Offense Claims
London's Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offenses involving a man in his 50s, and he has been identified in
London's Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offenses involving a man in his 50s, and he has been identified in reports as comedian and children's author David Walliams. Police announced it on a Friday.
The force said it had received "a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences." Under UK law, police did not name the suspect.
Separate claims, and a review of the reports
Detectives say these allegations are different from those in a recent joint media investigation, including a documentary, into Walliams. Officers are also examining that reporting to see whether it points to evidence of offenses.
The joint investigation carried accusations of sexually exploitative behavior toward young women and girls. The women said Walliams, 55, used his fame to target teenagers as young as 15, making contact through his work, including on Britain's Got Talent.
One woman said he sexually assaulted her at his London home when she was 15. Others accused him of grooming them as teenagers.
Walliams denies wrongdoing
Walliams, the Little Britain co-creator, tried to stop publication through the courts. He has denied the claims, saying he broke no laws and is not a sexual predator.
In a written response to the outlets, he said he was "devastated" that some women he met 10 to 20 years ago now felt hurt or anger toward him. He acknowledged that fame creates a power imbalance.
"Abusing that power is something else entirely," he wrote, "and it is something that I never did."
