This week, Russell Brand has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail for rape and sexual assaults, and David Walliams has faced allegations of grooming teenage girls
The entertainment industries must act now to protect women, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has demanded.
The politician, 47, said “power imbalances are huge” in the media industries and added she feels Russell Brand’s convictions of rape and sexual assaults reflects that. Ms Nandy, MP for Wigan, Greater Manchester, also referred to allegations David Walliams faces of preying on women and grooming girls as young as 15.
Ms Nandy said: “These allegations are the latest in a long line of reported abuses of power in an industry where we have known for so long that the power imbalances are huge.”
Ms Nandy, who Sir Keir Starmer appointed into the role of Culture Secretary in 2024, added: “Russell Brand’s eventual conviction was a stark reminder that we are still far too reliant on the courage of brave women who choose to come forward despite knowing they will pay a heavy price and may not be believed — and a handful of persistent journalists who risk everything to tell their stories.
“This week we announced that we are convening senior members of the media and entertainment industries to draw a line in the sand. A decade and a half on from the revelations about Jimmy Savile and ten years on from the Me Too movement we must finally take meaningful steps to end abuse and harassment in sectors where the power imbalances are huge and careers are built on contacts and reputation.
“Women must feel safe in their jobs, whistleblowers must be protected, and those who abuse their position must no longer be able to hide behind it. To victims past and present, this government is not neutral when it comes to your safety.”
Walliams, 55, was today unmasked as the celebrity accused of using his power and fame to prey on young women and girls. The TV star and children’s book author tried to stop a three-year Guardian and ITV investigation being published with a court injunction, but it failed last week and he decided not to appeal against the decision.
The developments in his case come the day after Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in jail for raping a fan and sexual assaulting two other women at the height of his fame. After which, Lucy Powell, the Labour Deputy Leader, told women to “come forward” and that they will be believed.
Speaking to Sky News, the MP for Manchester Central said: “What I would say to women now, off the back of that, is do come forward when these things happen to you. You will be supported. You will be believed. You will be taken seriously.”