Entertainment industry must bring in safeguards after Brand and Walliams – Nandy

Résumé détaillé

The Culture Secretary criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade.

The entertainment industry must introduce safeguards, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has warned, following revelations about David Walliams and Russell Brand’s conviction.

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

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.

Brand, 51, was jailed this week after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his career.

Meanwhile, fellow comedian Walliams was named as part of an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News the day after Brand was sentenced.

The best-selling author and former Britain’s Got Talent judge has been accused of sexual misconduct and abusing his power to groom teenagers as young as 15, but denies any wrongdoing.

Ms Nandy said during departmental questions: “They are the latest in a long line of reported abuses of power in an industry where we’ve known for so long that power imbalances are huge and that reputation and contacts are the foundations on which careers are built.

“Next week I will be meeting with representatives from across media, entertainment and sport to discuss the action that we need to take. But I want to be clear with this House, that if those protections are insufficient, the Government will not hesitate to take further action.

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