Media industry needs to ‘step forward’ to protect women and girls, says PM

Andy Burnham said the media industry needs to “look at itself” and “step forward” to protect women and girls following Russell Brand’s rape conviction and allegations against David Walliams.

It comes after Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told MPs that ministers “would not hesitate” to take action if protections put in place are inadequate.

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, she criticised inaction by the BBC after reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters in the last decade.

She also said she would discuss the usage of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) during a meeting with media and entertainment executives next week.

Brand, 51, was jailed this week after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his career.

Meanwhile, fellow comedian Walliams was named as part of an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News the day after Brand was sentenced.

The best-selling author and former Britain’s Got Talent judge has been accused of sexual misconduct and abusing his power to groom teenagers as young as 15, but denies any wrongdoing.

Asked how far the Government is willing to go to force the TV and entertainment industries to clean up their act, Mr Burnham replied: “The Culture Secretary has been very clear about that.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he added: “The media industry will need to look at itself and ensure whether it is taking all of the steps needed to protect the safety of women and girls who work within the industry, or who are within the orbit of the industry, because very serious issues indeed fall out of these cases.

“And as a government that is absolutely determined to do everything that we can to prevent violence, sexual violence against women and girls, we will take every possible step.

“And we will look at all of the issues that arise from this, but let’s be clear: a lot of these issues are for the media industry, and it’s for the media industry to step forward and address them themselves first.”

Media minister Ian Murray said on Wednesday that there is a “cultural problem” that needs to be “stamped out” after allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Walliams.

Mr Murray said non-disclosure agreements are a “major part of the problem” and referenced comedian Brand, who was jailed for 10-and-a-half years at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

He said: “If you’re up against a a major star such as Russell Brand, it’s very frightening to be able to report that.”

Meanwhile, equalities minister Bridget Phillipson paid tribute to the “bravery” of victims who have shared their experiences in recent days.