Schools, libraries and parents face dilemma over David Walliams books

David Walliams in a suit leaning out of a window pointing at a copy of his Ratburger book

Image source, Getty ImagesByIan YoungsCulture reporter

Published17 minutes ago

Some schools have removed David Walliams books from their libraries following the publication of allegations against the best-selling children's author and comedian.

"Head teachers are already making difficult decisions about whether or not these books should remain on the bookshelves of libraries at the moment," said Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

"I'm aware from several of our members that they've already taken the decision to take them off their shelves."

Walliams sold more than 50 million copies of books including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy. He has denied allegations of sexual misconduct and abuses of power.

Image source, Reuters

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Di'Iasio urged the government to give schools national guidance, so they are "not leaving this open to one or two head teachers making one decision and others making a different one".

Darren Morgan, head of Kings Road Primary School in Manchester, told the programme that he has taken the decision to remove Walliams' publications.

The stories have been useful to promote reading, but "when there are these allegations it's really difficult to keep these books on the shelves", he said.

Steve Chalke, head of Oasis Academies, which runs more than 50 schools, said it was impossible to stop children seeing the current stories about Walliams.

"So when a child wanders into a school and into the library and sees his name or perhaps sees his photograph on a book, it can be very traumatising for some children," he said.

Author Chloe Combi, who has written about "how it feels to be young in modern Britain" and Generation Z, said banning Walliams' books is not appropriate, and could mean that important conversations about him "get swept under the carpet".

"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 told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm totally sympathetic with schools for withdrawing him and bookshops withdrawing him as an individual decision. But the point is, none of that is going to erase what's happened."

The Department for Education has been asked for comment.

'Extremely complex and stressful situation'

Retailers including Waterstones, TG Jones, and The Works, say they will no longer sell Walliams' books, and his publisher HarperCollins cut ties with him in September.

Public libraries have also faced calls to remove his books.

Librarians' body CILIP said it "recognises that dealing with challenges made to books or other resources can be an extremely complex and stressful situation for library staff".

Decisions about stocking books are made by local councils.

Among them, Kent County Council said it had no plans to remove Walliams' titles from its libraries.

"The starting point is that books should be available to readers unless their content is unlawful," a spokesperson said.

"Decisions about library stock are not made through blanket bans on individual authors. Collections are regularly reviewed and refreshed to reflect factors such as reader demand, condition and relevance of stock."

Surrey County Council said that demand for Walliams' books had "fallen significantly in recent years", but his titles are "not illegal" and "remain available for readers to borrow".

Camden Council in north London said it was putting Walliams' books in storage.

A spokesperson told the Camden New Journal: "We are committed to making Camden a safer place for women and girls, to challenging harmful attitudes, and promoting healthy relationships.

"Following these allegations, we believe the most appropriate action is to remove these books from display."

On Tuesday, ITV News and the Guardian published reports alleging that Walliams has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women, including some who accused him of "grooming" them when they were teenagers.

In a letter to journalists published by the paper, Walliams said he was "not a sexual predator" and had not "broken the law".