Labour suspends David Walliams as party member over misconduct allegations

Labour suspends David Walliams as party member over misconduct allegations An investigation by ITV News and the Guardian claims that he abused his power and position for sexual purposes on a multiple occasions with teenagers and other women Labour has suspended television personality David Walliams as a party member after he was named as the celebrity who tried to block publication of sexual misconduct allegations. An investigation by ITV News and the Guardian claims that he abused his power and position for sexual purposes on a multiple occasions with teenagers and other women. It is understood the Labour Party took swift action to suspend the membership of Mr Walliams after serious allegations emerged around his conduct. It came as Downing Street said the allegations against David Walliams were “deeply troubling.” Asked about the investigation the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “I don’t think we’ve seen the full extent of the reporting. They’re clearly deeply troubling allegations, and the Government will doubtless respond to them during the course of the day, I’m sure.” In response to the claims, Mr Walliams denies any wrongdoing and said he's 'devastated' by the claims. He sent a letter to journalists working on this investigation and wrote: “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.” In the documentary, which is set to air on ITV tonight, a number of women tell how Walliams preyed on them for sexual purposes. One claims he first began contacting her when she was 15, after meeting her at a Little Britain fan event, and alleges they started a sexual relationship when she was 17. The investigation also reveals he had a sexual relationship with at least one junior employee at a book publishers as well as pursuing another. Further details of the allegations of inappropriate behaviour and the investigation will air on ITV tonight at 10.50pm and on the ITV news channel.