Educational institutions and public libraries across the country are navigating complex decisions regarding whether to retain works by best-selling children’s author and comedian David Walliams. This trend follows recent media reports detailing serious allegations of sexual misconduct and power abuses against the author, which he has consistently denied.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, noted that head teachers are currently facing difficult choices. Several members have already opted to remove the titles from their library shelves. Di’Iasio has urged the government to provide national guidance, noting that individual schools are currently left to determine their own policies, creating a lack of consistency across the education system. I’m totally sympathetic with schools for withdrawing him and bookshops withdrawing him as an individual decision. The Department for Education has been asked for comment.
Some educators feel the decision is necessary to protect the learning environment.
Darren Morgan, head of Kings Road Primary School in Manchester, stated that while the books were previously useful for promoting literacy, the current allegations have made it difficult to keep them available. Steve Chalke, head of Oasis Academies, which manages over 50 schools, expressed concern that seeing the author’s name or image could be traumatic for children given the public nature of the allegations. It can be very traumatising for some children,” he said, so when a child wanders into a school and into the library and sees his name or perhaps sees his photograph on a book.
Not all experts agree that removal is the most effective approach. Author Chloe Combi suggested that banning books might cause important discussions about the situation to be sidelined. While she expressed sympathy for schools choosing to withdraw the materials, she argued that engaging in conversations with young people about the events may be a more constructive path forward. According to i think by talking about it and what has happened – and the responsibility of parents to have that conversation with their kids – that actually makes more sense,” she, Radio 5 Live. None of that is going to erase what’s happened, but the point is.
Local authorities are also split on how to manage their collections. Camden Council in London has opted to place its copies in storage, with a spokesperson stating the move aligns with their commitment to creating a safer environment for women and girls. Similarly, Telford and Wrekin Council decided to remove all Walliams’ books and audiobooks from their catalogues following the recent press coverage. Walliams sold more than 50 million copies of books including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy. To challenging harmful attitudes, and promoting healthy relationships, a spokesperson told the Camden New Journal: “We are committed to making Camden a safer place for women and girls.
Conversely, other regions are maintaining their existing collections. Kent County Council stated it has no plans to remove the titles, emphasizing that books remain available unless their content is deemed unlawful. Surrey County Council acknowledged that demand for the author’s work has significantly declined in recent years, but maintained that the books are not illegal and remain accessible to borrowers. Condition and relevance of stock, collections are regularly reviewed and refreshed to reflect factors such as reader demand.
The broader literary and retail landscape has also shifted significantly. HarperCollins cut ties with Walliams in September, and major retailers including Waterstones, The Works, and TG Jones have confirmed they will no longer sell his books. The professional body CILIP, which represents librarians, acknowledged that managing such challenges is an extremely complex and stressful task for staff.
The controversy stems from reports published Tuesday by ITV News and the Guardian, which included accounts from several women alleging sexual misconduct and grooming while they were teenagers. In a formal letter to journalists, Walliams denied the accusations, stating he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law.
