Government threatens legal action over entertainment industry safeguarding

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 12 Nov, 17:21 · Archive

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is summoning entertainment industry leaders to demand improved safeguards or face legal intervention.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has summoned leaders from broadcasting, publishing, film and entertainment industries for a meeting next week to address safeguarding practices. The action follows the conviction of entertainer Russell Brand, 51, who was jailed this week after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. It also comes after allegations against comedian and author David Walliams, who has been accused of sexual misconduct and abusing his power, including allegations involving teenagers as young as 15. Walliams denies all allegations against him.

In parliament, Nandy told MPs that ministers "would not hesitate" to take further action if industry protections prove inadequate. She criticised the BBC's inaction following reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in recent years. She said these cases represented "the latest in a long line of reported abuses of power in an industry where we've known for so long that power imbalances are huge".

The BBC understands that Nandy will deliver two messages at next week's meeting. First, she will tell industry leaders they must take responsibility and tackle safeguarding themselves. Second, she will warn that if their response is insufficient, the government may intervene. Such intervention could include forcing participation in the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, a watchdog body whose membership is currently voluntary.

Multiple government ministers have also called for further restrictions on the use of non-disclosure agreements, which Nandy said she will discuss at the meeting. The allegations against Walliams were published following a three-year joint investigation by the Guardian and ITV News, which came to light after Walliams lost a legal bid to prevent their publication.

How it is being reported

• Entertainment industry must bring in safeguards after Brand and Walliams – NandyThe Culture Secretary criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade.Evening Standard · 12 Nov, 12:51
• Entertainment industry must bring in safeguards after Brand and Walliams – NandyThe Culture Secretary criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade.Evening Standard · 12 Nov, 11:52
• Entertainment industry must bring in safeguards after Brand and Walliams – NandyThe Culture Secretary criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade.Evening Standard · 12 Nov, 11:06
• Government could force media industry to improve safeguards after Walliams allegationsCulture Secretary Lisa Nandy could force participation in an industry watchdog to protect whistleblowers, the BBC understands.BBC News · 12 Nov, 04:01
• TV bosses are told to clean up their act as minister threatens legal crackdown over the protection of girls after the Russell Brand and David Walliams scandalsCulture Secretary Lisa Nandy is hauling broadcasters in for a showdown next week after it was claimed that Walliams' alleged preying on young women was an 'open secret'.Daily Mail · 12 Nov, 02:44

In this story: Lisa Nandy · David Walliams · Russell Brand · BBC · Guardian · ITV News · Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log