The key facts
- Chloe Combes says that in 2015 she was advised not to invite Walliams to schools and to warn headteachers
- The Guardian and ITV News investigation contains allegations from several women, including meetings with minors; Walliams denies everything
- HarperCollins has dropped Walliams's new books and reissues of his earlier titles; British ministers have spoken of a 'cultural problem' in the industry
Words about warning schools
Writer and columnist Chloe Combes told BBC News that more than ten years ago she had heard of 'genuine concerns' about David Walliams's behaviour in the publishing world. According to her, this concerned rumours about his 'behaviour around young female employees'. In 2015, Combes claims, at one industry event a 'fairly senior' figure in publishing advised her not to invite Walliams as part of her programme bringing well-known writers to speak in schools, and to tell headteachers and teachers that he was 'not suitable for a school'. Combes herself noted that she had never met Walliams in person, and received the information from several people in the publishing, writing and television circles.
The allegations and the writer's response
The Guardian and ITV News investigation brought allegations from several women: one says she met Walliams at a fan event at 15 and that there was a relationship between them when she was 17; another describes a meeting at 15, after which, she says, he tried to lift her top; two more former models accuse him of grooming and of attempting to kiss them. It is also claimed that he had a relationship with at least one junior HarperCollins employee and behaved inappropriately on the show Britain's Got Talent. Walliams himself told ITV News and the Guardian: 'I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,' adding that he regretted 'reckless' behaviour in past relationships but denies abuse of power.
The publisher's and politicians' reaction
HarperCollins, which published Walliams's bestselling children's books, ended its collaboration with him as far back as last year, and in September announced that it would no longer release his back catalogue either, stressing that it takes 'the wellbeing of employees extremely seriously'. The publisher was asked to comment on Combes's statements. In the British parliament the issue reached ministerial level: media minister Ian Murray, speaking before the digital, culture, media and sport committee, called the situation a 'cultural problem' in the industry that needs to be 'rooted out', while women and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson noted the 'courage' of the victims who spoke about what they had experienced.
Voices from the industry
Comedian Deborah Frances-White told BBC Radio 4 that young women in the comedy industry are 'definitely' still being exploited, and that she fully recognises the picture painted by the allegations against Walliams and the conviction of Russell Brand. Comedian Lucy Beaumont told Sky News that a young television employee had approached her claiming inappropriate behaviour while working with Walliams on another show. The Westminster reaction continues: Labour MP Jess Phillips told BBC Radio 4 that what has been described looks, in her words, like a 'modus operandi' towards women with less power. All allegations against Walliams remain claims by the parties concerned, which he denies.
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