UK publisher drops books by David Walliams

Publishing house HarperCollins UK has said it will no longer publish the back catalogue of British comedian and best-selling children's author David Walliams after he faced allegations of harassing female staff.

"I can confirm that HarperCollins will no longer be publishing David Walliams's backlist," a spokesperson said in a statement sent to AFP.

The move came after the publisher announced in December it would not publish any new titles by Walliams, saying it "takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously".

The Daily Telegraph had published an investigative article in December alleging a junior employee at the publisher had complained about Walliams's conduct, prompting an internal investigation.

As a result, one employee agreed to a financial settlement, the Telegraph wrote.

Walliams's agent said at the time that the author strongly denied inappropriate behaviour.