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Police launch investigation into David Walliams over sexual offences

Summarised from 14 outlets · 18 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 05:59 · Archive

The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into David Walliams over allegations of serious sexual offences.

The Metropolitan Police have announced a criminal investigation into David Walliams following multiple allegations of serious sexual offences. The force said it has received a number of allegations of non-recent offences involving a man now in his 50s in recent days, with those who have come forward being supported by specialist officers.

The investigation was prompted after ITV News and The Guardian published reports on Tuesday detailing allegations from multiple women. The reports stated that Walliams, a 55-year-old entertainer and best-selling children's author, used his power and celebrity status to prey on young women and teenagers. One woman claimed Walliams sexually assaulted her at his London home when she was 15 years old. Other allegations included that he groomed teenagers and harassed young female colleagues.

Walliams had attempted to prevent publication of these allegations by seeking an injunction in the High Court. However, a judge rejected his application, ruling that an injunction would be 'an exceptionally serious interference' with the media's rights. The reports were published after a deadline for appeal expired.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the allegations it is investigating are separate from those reported by ITV News and The Guardian. However, as part of their investigation, detectives are proactively reviewing the news organisations' reporting to establish whether there is evidence of offences. The force said it had not received any reports prior to the recent allegations that prompted the investigation.

In response to the ITV News and Guardian reports, Walliams issued a statement denying the most serious allegations. He said he is 'not a sexual predator' and has not 'broken the law'. He acknowledged that he 'behaved thoughtlessly' towards people he had casual sexual relationships with and did not always take their feelings 'properly into account'. However, he stated that whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something he 'never did'.

Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney, whose team is leading the investigation, said: 'We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward and speak to us, no matter when it happened.' He added that specialist officers are available to provide support and guide victims through the reporting process. Anyone wishing to report information can call 101 with reference 4900/10NOV26 or contact the Complex Sexual Offences Unit directly on 0207 175 2738.

Police launch investigation into David Walliams over sexual offences
Image: BBC News

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In this story: David Walliams · Metropolitan Police · ITV News · The Guardian · Britain's Got Talent · HarperCollins · London · Mike Cagney

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