UK entertainment faces reform calls over sex abuse

Britain's entertainment industry is facing renewed calls for reform and stronger oversight after a series of rape and sexual abuse cases and allegations involving prominent male figures.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the media industry needed to examine whether it was doing enough to protect women and girls working in the sector. Culture Minister Lisa Nandy is due to meet industry bosses on Tuesday and has warned that ministers would act if protections are inadequate.

The pressure follows the jailing on Monday of comedian and former Hollywood actor Russell Brand for more than 10 years for rape and sexual assault against four women dating back to the 2000s. The Times reported fresh allegations on Friday that six more women had been assaulted by Brand.

London's Metropolitan Police said on Friday they were investigating allegations of serious sexual offences against comedian and children's author David Walliams. Walliams has denied accusations published this week in a joint Guardian and ITV News investigation.

Comedian Lucy Beaumont, who said she was among the Guardian's whistleblowers, told Sky News that the industry had “no HR department, no proper duty of care” and said there was now a chance to change it.

University of Leeds media lecturer Kat Higgins called for wider cultural change and reform of non-disclosure agreements, saying such agreements should not be used to silence survivors. University of York expert Anna Bull said attitudes had changed but oversight had not moved fast enough. She said film and TV workers, including young freelancers, were vulnerable because of insecure jobs, gender imbalances in power and a downturn in vacancies.