“Grave sex offences,” Scotland Yard said today as Metropolitan Police detectives opened a criminal inquiry into British comedian David Walliams following recent media reports.
London’s Metropolitan Police launched the investigation into the 55-year-old television presenter and children’s author after multiple women came forward with allegations. Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney confirmed the probe into suspected serious sexual offences while withholding specific details. Cagney encouraged any other potential victims to come forward and speak with investigators regardless of what happened.
The police file covers incidents that extend beyond revelations published by ITV News and The Guardian.
Walliams had attempted to block the publication of those journalistic findings through an emergency injunction at the High Court in London by citing suicide risks. Media accounts drawing on testimony from more than 30 women allege misconduct dating back to 2003. Those claims include allegations that Walliams groomed a 15-year-old girl when he was 36 years old before abusing her.
Additional allegations involve inappropriate behaviour on the set of the talent show Britain’s Got Talent where Walliams served as a judge for several years. Publishing house HarperCollins also faces scrutiny regarding workplace conduct following millions of global sales of Walliams’ children’s novels. Walliams consistently denies all allegations of wrongdoing. The unfolding police investigation has triggered intense political and entertainment industry debate across the United Kingdom.
Public scrutiny intensified following the sentencing of 51-year-old comedian and web star Russell Brand to 10 and a half years in prison for the rape of a young fan and harassment of 3 women. Brand received a ten-and-a-half-year prison sentence for raping a young fan and sexually assaulting three other women over a decade ago. Police urge anyone with information regarding the David Walliams investigation to contact the Metropolitan Police.
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