UK comics Walliams and Brand: From leading entertainers to part of a reckoning over sexual misconduct

Walliams allegations published

The Guardian and ITN published accounts from multiple women alleging misconduct by David Walliams. He had asked a court to prevent the outlets from identifying him, but a judge rejected his application last week.

Walliams denies the allegations and has not been charged by police. His lawyers argued that publication could lead him to take his own life; the judge dismissed that argument.

Brand sentenced after trial

Brand denied the accusations. His career included stand-up comedy, television and radio presenting, roles in Hollywood films, and work as a judge on “Britain's Got Talent.” He is also a bestselling children's author.

Scrutiny of media employers

The news about two prominent comedians in the same week has prompted questions about why their reputations endured for so long and whether media employers, including the BBC, helped shield or indulge celebrity behavior. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, is expected to summon media and entertainment executives to press for stronger protections for women who raise allegations. She told Sky News that the environment at media companies had not improved, despite Brand's offenses taking place years ago.

Further reports and police review

Hours after Brand was sentenced, his former girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith said she had a personal experience of his violence, coercive control and abuse. She said she called police in 2014 to remove him after a violent incident, but did not press charges because she feared the effect of press attention on her children.