David Walliams books removed from schools and libraries in London amid sex claims

Schools and libraries in London are removing David Walliams books from their shelves after he was revealed as the celebrity facing sex claims.

David Walliams with his book, Billionaire Boy

PA

But a Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to making Camden a safer place for women and girls, to challenging harmful attitudes, and promoting healthy relationships.

“Following these allegations, we believe the most appropriate action is to remove these books from display.”

Schools in Camden have been left to decide for themselves whether to still keep his books.

Millions of David Walliams books have been sold around the world

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But other school chiefs were advising the removal of Walliams books as he faced sex claims from several women having failed to obtain an injunction to prevent the reporting of the allegations against him.

Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, which runs 59 schools across England, said the academy trust has issued guidance to headteachers to temporarily remove Wallliams books.

He explained: “Our advice is, for the sake of our children and to protect our children, the right thing to do – because this will traumatise some children without doubt if they read his name or see his face – is to remove books from our libraries temporarily.”

The trust has 16 schools in London and the South East, including in Lambeth, Croydon and Enfield.

Academy trust GLF Schools, which runs 43 schools, many of them in London’s commuter belt, has also decided to remove Walliams books from its school libraries.

The Association of School and College Leaders called on the Government to issue guidance to help headteachers decide what to do with Walliams books in schools.

They include The Boy In The Dress, Fing and Gangsta Granny, the latter of which was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.

He denied the claims, saying he had "never been informed of any allegations raised against him” or been asked to cooperate with the HarperCollins investigation.

David Walliams gives his final approval on the new Gangsta Granny: The Ride at Alton Towers

PA

She told MPs that ministers “would not hesitate” to take action if the protections put in place were inadequate.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy

PA Wire

Speaking in the Commons, she criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade.

She also said she would discuss the usage of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) during a meeting with media and entertainment executives next week.