Police investigating children’s author and Little Britain star David Walliams for sex offences

The Metropolitan Police are opening a sexual offenses investigation into British actor, comedian, and children's author David Walliams. According to DW English (Top Stories), London police announced on Friday that they received a number of allegations regarding non-recent serious sexual offenses involving a man now in his 50s. The Metropolitan Police stated they received several allegations of past abuse following reports that Walliams used his fame to groom girls and young women for sex, as reported by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

DW English (Top Stories) reports that the investigation follows a joint report by ITV News and The Guardian, which alleged Walliams misused his celebrity status to prey on women and girls over more than 20 years. That report included an hourlong video documentary titled David Walliams: Power and Silence, which featured a woman alleging she was sexually assaulted by Walliams at age 15.

The media outlets also highlighted allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct involving his book publisher, HarperCollins, and his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

DW News reports that Walliams has denied the accusations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. While Walliams responded to the earlier ITV and Guardian report, DW English (Top Stories) notes that neither Walliams nor his lawyer has responded to the Metropolitan Police investigation. Detective Mike Cagney, who is leading the Metropolitan Police investigation, encouraged anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offense to come forward regardless of when it happened.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, DW News, DW English (Top Stories), PBS NewsHour — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.