UK police open sex offence probe into comedian and author David Walliams | Sexual Assault News
Investigation Launched Into Allegations Against Comedian David Walliams
London police have initiated an investigation into serious sexual offense allegations against British comedian and children’s author David Walliams, following reports that accuse him of grooming and sexually abusing young women and girls.
The 55-year-old Walliams has categorically denied the allegations.
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police released on Friday, the force has received multiple claims related to non-recent serious sexual offenses involving a man in his 50s. Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney urged anyone affected by the allegations to come forward.
The new allegations are separate from those reported by ITV News and The Guardian earlier this week. Both news outlets published articles on Tuesday detailing accusations from several women claiming sexual misconduct by Walliams, with incidents reportedly dating as far back as 2003.
These revelations followed the sentencing of comedian Russell Brand to over ten years in prison for rape and sexual assault.
The Guardian and ITV stated they conducted a three-year investigation, speaking with more than 100 individuals. One woman claimed that Walliams sexually assaulted her at his London residence when she was 15 years old. Other accusations include claims of grooming and harassment of young female colleagues.
In correspondence with ITV and The Guardian, Walliams stated that while power imbalances can exist in relationships involving a famous person, he has never abused that power. “I am not a sexual predator … I have not broken the law,” he asserted.
The investigative reports surfaced after Walliams lost a High Court attempt to prevent the media from identifying him. Judge Matthew Nicklin ruled that granting an injunction would severely impede press freedoms.
Following the allegations, the BBC announced it had removed certain shows featuring Walliams, including “Little Britain,” the comedy sketch series that contributed to his fame. Meanwhile, Walliams’s literary agency, Independent Talent Group, has ceased all representation of him, and HarperCollins, his publisher, severed ties last year due to separate incidents of alleged harassment, which Walliams also denied.
David Walliams gained prominence as a comedian with shows such as “Little Britain” and “Come Fly With Me.” He has authored a number of children’s books, selling over 50 million copies, with titles including “Mr. Stink,” “Gangsta Granny,” and “The Boy in the Dress.”
