Government threatens mandatory media safeguarding after Walliams allegations
The government has threatened mandatory entertainment industry safeguarding and CIISA participation following recent misconduct allegations against David Walliams.
The government is prepared to force the entertainment industry to improve safeguarding practices unless rapid change is introduced, according to reports. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced plans to summon leaders from broadcasting, publishing, film, and entertainment to a roundtable meeting to draw a line in the sand. Nandy stated that if the industry's response to recent events lacks robustness, the government is prepared to force participation in the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA). Currently, joining CIISA is voluntary.
The announcements follow a joint investigation published by the Guardian and ITV News. Multiple women accused entertainer David Walliams of sexual misconduct, abusing his position, and grooming them as teenagers. One woman alleged she was 15 years old during an encounter she characterised as a sexual assault. Walliams denies all allegations, maintaining in a letter to journalists that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law, though he admitted to behaving thoughtlessly during casual sexual relationships.
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Walliams attempted to block the publication of the claims through a legal injunction, citing concerns over suicide risks following two previous attempts. Judge Mr Justice Nicklin refused the bid, ruling that granting it would constitute an exceptionally serious interference with freedom of expression.
Fallout from the allegations was swift. Walliams was dropped by his literary agency, Independent Talent Group, and the Bbc began removing his shows, including Little Britain, from iPlayer. Downing Street described the allegations as deeply troubling, and the Labour Party suspended his membership. Additionally, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it contacted the Guardian and ITV News to ensure potential victims know how to report criminal allegations.
The government's intervention threats also coincide with the sentencing of disgraced entertainer Russell Brand on charges of rape and sexual assault, events that Nandy noted form part of a long line of reported abuses of power across creative sectors. Nandy noted that a decade and a half on from the revelations about Jimmy Savile and ten years on from the Me Too movement, the industry must finally take meaningful steps to end abuse and harassment.
Ministers also trained their sights on non-disclosure agreements. Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson told Sky News that scope exists to go further on legislation restricting NDAs to prevent rich and powerful individuals from using the legal system to silence women.
Zelda Perkins, founder of the Can't Buy My Silence campaign and former assistant to Harvey Weinstein, told BBC Newsnight that safeguards around high-profile figures remain insufficient. Perkins broke her own NDA in 2017 when speaking publicly about Weinstein's mistreatment of women. She argued that CIISA membership should be mandatory, noting that voluntary bodies fail to monitor the individuals who need oversight most.
Comedian Lucy Beaumont shared that a television worker confided in her three years ago regarding Walliams's conduct on a previous production. Beaumont stated the worker alleged young girls over 16 were taken to Walliams's dressing room. Lawyers representing Walliams denied he was ever warned or got into trouble for messaging runners, and rejected any claims of workplace harassment.
Comedian Kate Smurthwaite told BBC Newsnight that Walliams's name repeatedly surfaced alongside concerns about working with young people, while presenter Jonathan Ross stated he was horrified by the allegations and genuinely unaware of the conduct.
| Action / Response | Entity / Person |
|---|---|
| Threatened mandatory CIISA participation | Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy |
| Investigated and published allegations | Guardian and ITV News |
| Dropped representation and removed shows | Independent Talent Group and BBC |
| Contacted publishers regarding potential victims | Metropolitan Police |
Readers seeking support regarding issues raised in these reports can consult the BBC Action Line. Further developments are expected next week when the Culture Secretary holds her scheduled roundtable with industry leaders.
