Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is summoning TV, film, music and publishing chiefs to crisis talks next week following allegations about David Walliams and Russell Brand’s conviction. She wants tougher safeguards for young workers and is prepared to bring in new laws if the entertainment industry fails to sort itself out.
A Government source warned: “We are not squeamish about stepping in if that does not happen.”
Crisis Talks and New Laws
Showbiz bosses face a Government crackdown over recent sex scandals as Richard Osman warns more celebrity revelations could be on the way. The Culture Secretary’s move comes after several women accused Walliams of exploiting his power and celebrity status to prey on young women and teenage girls for sex.
These claims, unearthed in a joint investigation by the Guardian and ITV News, include accusations from two women who allege they first encountered the star when they were 15 years old.
Richard Osman's Warning
Meanwhile, TV star Richard Osman suggested there are plenty more revelations in the pipeline. Speaking on his The Rest is Entertainment podcast, he said: “There will be more to come I suspect from that generation.”
The House of Games presenter, who worked with Walliams before the pair fell out, has called for industry bosses to introduce “basic moral standards” and stop ignoring warning signs about dodgy celebs. He wants staff to be able to anonymously report troubling behaviour after productions finish, even when nothing illegal has happened.
Brand's Conviction
Osman believes a string of “red flags” about the same star should be enough for bosses to decide they “do not want to work with this person.”
Brand was convicted of one count of rape this month and three counts of sexual assault relating to offences committed against four women between 1999 and 2005. He was jailed on Monday.
