Author and columnist Chloe Combi revealed that worries surrounding Walliams's conduct around junior female staff were considered an open secret in publishing dating back to at least 2015. Several women have accused him of misconduct during his work with HarperCollins and the production of Britain's Got Talent. Although Walliams admitted to behaving thoughtlessly in past relationships, he denied abusing power balances or acting as a sexual predator. In response to the claims, HarperCollins confirmed it will not release any new titles by Walliams and plans to stop publishing his back catalogue.
Key points
Allegations against David Walliams span his roles in both the publishing industry and tel…: Allegations against David Walliams span his roles in both the publishing industry and television productions like Britain’s Got Talent.
Walliams denied breaking the law or being a sexual predator, though he admitted he had at…: Walliams denied breaking the law or being a sexual predator, though he admitted he had at times behaved thoughtlessly.
Media Minister Ian Murray informed a parliamentary committee that a wider cultural proble…: Media Minister Ian Murray informed a parliamentary committee that a wider cultural problem regarding male abuse must be tackled across the media sector.
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Author and columnist Chloe Combi has said she had heard rumours that there were "real concerns" about David Walliams's behaviour within the publishing industry more than a decade ago.
Combi told BBC News she had heard there were allegations about his "behaviour around young female staff" and says she was told in 2015 to warn schools that he was "not an appropriate booking".
An investigation by the Guardian and ITV News alleged that Walliams has been accused by several women of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behaviour and abusing his position, which he denies.
HarperCollins, which published Walliams's best-selling children's books, have been asked for comment on Combi's claims.
In response to the Guardian and ITN report, a spokesperson for HarperCollins said the company had decided not to publish any new titles by Walliams and that it took "employee wellbeing extremely seriously".
Walliams told ITV News and the Guardian that he was "not a sexual predator" and had not "broken the law".
Combi said she was getting invited to events such as book launches around the time one of her…
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