Why Hartlepool's libraries are keeping David Walliams's books on their shelves
Hartlepool Borough Council has announced that it will not be removing any books by David Walliams from the shelves of its libraries.
The author and comedian has been accused by a number of women of sexual misconduct in an investigation carried out by The Guardian and ITV News.
He has denied allegations of sexual misconduct and abuses of power, saying he has not broken the law.
However, the Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into reports of the Little Britain star’s “alleged serious sexual offences”.
Walliams is a highly successful children’s author, selling over 50 million copies of books including Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink and Billionaire Boy, some of which have been adapted for television.
Some schools have removed his books from their libraries, while retailers including The Works, Waterstone’s and TG Jones say they will no longer sell them.
Publisher HarperCollins and his literary agent have also dropped him.
A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “We share the view of Libraries Connected, our independent membership charity supporting public libraries, that as a starting point books should be made available to readers unless the content of those books is illegal.
“Our libraries stock a wide range of books reflecting diverse authors, subjects and viewpoints, and the presence of a book in a library does not constitute an endorsement of the author or their personal conduct.
“We believe it is for individual residents to make their own informed choices about the books they choose to borrow and read.”
Durham County Council is among other local authorities whose libraries will continue to loan Walliams’ books.