David Walliams fails to keep identity secret over sex claims

Comedian and children's author David Walliams has been named after his High Court application for an injunction to keep his identity secret was dismissed. The legal action was taken against Independent Television News (ITN) and Guardian News and Media (GNM), publishers of The Guardian, who intended to report on allegations made by several women.

The women accuse Mr Walliams of grooming them when they were teenagers. One woman described an alleged encounter when she was 15 as a "sexual assault". Mr Walliams denies any wrongdoing, according to his legal team.

Court's Decision

Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed the injunction bid last Tuesday. He stated that the court had not determined the truth of the allegations and that the dismissal did not constitute approval of any future publication by the defendants. The judge noted that Mr Walliams had repeatedly stated an intention to take his own life if the allegations were published, a concern that had to be taken seriously. However, he added that these statements did not establish suicide as inevitable or that treatment could not reduce the risk.

Lawyers for Mr Walliams had argued that publication could have a "potentially fatal impact" on the comedian, citing two previous suicide attempts. They also stated he had no intention of returning to public life. In contrast, counsel for ITN and GNM argued that the case risked judges assessing causes of suicidal ideation, which they contended was a matter for professionals. They also submitted that the proposed publication would contribute to a debate of public importance concerning the misuse of power by individuals.

The anonymity granted to Mr Walliams during the proceedings was intended to allow time for any appeal to be lodged. This window closed at 4.30pm on Monday, with no appeal being filed. The judge's full judgment ran to 52 pages.