The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation after the force received “a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences” against David Walliams. The actor and comedian, 55, was named this week as the famous man who lost his High Court injunction battle.
ITV News and The Guardian conducted a three-year investigation into the former Britain’s Got Talent judge after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, including when they were teenagers. Walliams has denied any wrongdoing and failed to get an injunction to prevent the reporting of allegations against him.
Police statement on allegations
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed an investigation has been launched into alleged serious sexual offences, which are separate from those reported by ITN and The Guardian. However, as part of its investigation, the force says its detectives are also proactively reviewing that reporting to establish whether there is any evidence of offences.
A police statement said: “In recent days, the Met has received a number of allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences involving a man now in his 50s. Those who have come forward are being supported by specialist officers. The allegations are separate from those reported by ITN and The Guardian. However, as part of their investigation, detectives are also proactively reviewing that reporting to establish whether there is any evidence of offences.”
Detective urges victims to come forward
Det Supt Mike Cagney, whose team is leading the investigation, said: “We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward and speak to us, no matter when it happened. We know reporting allegations of this nature can be daunting, but specialist officers are on hand to provide support, answer questions and guide you through the process.”
In a letter addressed to journalists working on the ITV and Guardian investigation, Walliams said: "Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with. I realise I did not always take people's feelings properly into account. That is something I regret. And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did."
He added: "I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law, but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me."
Legal battle and injunction bid
Walliams brought legal action against Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publisher of The Guardian, ahead of the two organisations reporting allegations against him, including of sexual misconduct and potential criminal activity.
Lawyers for the media organisations previously told the High Court in London the allegations involved Walliams' alleged "abuse of power and status" to contact young women and try to engage in "inappropriate and exploitative sexual activities". Walliams denied the claims and unsuccessfully sought an injunction to prevent these publications because of the risk he would take his own life, after two previous suicide attempts.
The author was granted anonymity during the proceedings, which was lifted after his injunction bid was dismissed and GNM and ITN published their investigations on Tuesday. During a two-day trial in October, the court was told by the media organisations’ lawyers that the allegations were gathered after "a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation" and that there was a “strong” public interest in publishing them.
People can report information to police by calling 101 and providing the reference 4900/10NOV26, or by contacting the complex sexual offences unit on 0207 175 2738.
