Met Police open investigation after allegations against David Walliams
London police say they are investigating allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences involving a man in his 50s; David Walliams has denied wrongdoing.
- Development
- 13 November 2026
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- 2 verified sources
Police confirm a new investigation
London’s Metropolitan Police said on November 13 that detectives had opened an investigation after receiving several recent allegations of non-recent serious sexual offences. The force said the allegations involve a man in his 50s and that no arrest has been made. The Associated Press identified the subject as author and television personality David Walliams. A police investigation is an evidence-gathering process, not a finding that an offence occurred, and Walliams has not been charged. [1] [2]
What the Met said — and did not say
The police statement did not identify complainants, specify the number or type of alleged offences, or give dates and locations beyond describing the allegations as non-recent. Officers said the complaints reported directly to police are separate from allegations described in recent ITV and Guardian reporting. Detectives are nevertheless reviewing information in those reports as part of the inquiry. That distinction matters: reporting can prompt scrutiny, but any criminal case must rest on evidence gathered and tested through the justice system. [1] [2]
Walliams denies wrongdoing
Walliams has denied the allegations reported about him. In a statement relayed by the Associated Press, his representatives said he strongly denies behaving in the way alleged and rejects the description of him as a sexual predator. That denial is part of the public record and must be reported alongside the police announcement. No plea is involved because there is no criminal charge, and the presumption of innocence applies throughout any investigation and possible later proceedings. [1] [2]
Professional consequences followed earlier reports
Walliams is known for children’s books including “Gangsta Granny” and for television work such as “Little Britain” and “Britain’s Got Talent.” The AP reported that publisher HarperCollins UK said in December 2025 that it would not publish new titles by him after concerns about workplace conduct were raised. Walliams later began legal action against the publisher. Those employment and civil disputes are separate from the criminal investigation and should not be treated as proof of the police allegations. [2]
The next reliable milestones
Detectives said their work remains at an early stage and encouraged anyone with relevant information to contact police. Investigators will have to assess the individual accounts, look for contemporaneous records and determine whether any evidence supports a criminal allegation under the law that applied at the relevant time. Prosecutors, rather than police or publishers, would make any later charging decision after reviewing that material. The next material development would be a verified police update, an arrest, a charging decision, or a formal statement from counsel based on new evidence. Until then, the available record supports only a careful description: allegations have been made, the Met is investigating, Walliams denies wrongdoing, and no guilt has been established. The absence of an arrest should not be framed as a conclusion about the complaints, just as the opening of an inquiry should not be framed as proof against the person under investigation. The Decoder will preserve this article’s original publication date if later facts require a transparent revision. [1] [2]
Sources & further reading
- The Met has launched an investigation into alleged serious sexual offences ↗Metropolitan Police · 2026-11-13 · Primary source
- London police investigate sexual assault allegations against author David Walliams ↗Associated Press · 2026-11-13
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