David Walliams faces sexual misconduct allegations
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tribune Online
British comedian and author David Walliams faces sexual misconduct allegations from several women, some of whom say they were assaulted or manipulated when they were teenagers. Walliams denies the allegations and says he broke no laws, while the British High Court refused to prevent their publication, according to Tribune Online.
Investigations by ITV News and The Guardian reported accounts from several women accusing British comedian and author David Walliams of sexual misconduct, including behaviour towards young women and teenage girls. One woman alleges that he sexually assaulted her at his London home when she was 15, while others say they experienced manipulative behaviour after meeting him as teenagers, according to Tribune Online.
David Walliams, 55, denies the allegations and rejects the claim that he is a sexual predator. He says he has broken no laws and also disputes having exploited his influence or any potential power imbalance linked to his fame, according to Tribune Online.
The publication of the accounts came after the British High Court rejected the previous week David Walliams’s request to prevent the media from identifying him. The investigation reportedly involved interviews with more than 100 people, and the court was told that some of the alleged acts could constitute criminal offences if established.
The allegations have already led to several professional separations. The BBC announced the removal of some programmes linked to David Walliams, his agency Independent Talent Group stopped representing him, and the producers of the film Fing!, adapted from one of his children’s books, removed his appearance. British distributor Sky also announced that it was abandoning production, according to Tribune Online.
