David Walliams [Krixnadelapaz ] and Holborn Library

A LARGE catalogue of children’s books written by David Walliams has been taken off Camden’s library shelves and dumped in storage – after allegations that he preyed on teenage girls and sexually assaulted one of them at his home in Belsize Park.

The performer lost an attempt to gag reporting by ITV and The Guardian of claims made against him by several women, which were aired on Tuesday evening.

They had told how he had messaged them when they were teenagers and then fans of his Little Britain sketch show. One said she was kissed and sexually touched when she was 15, the investigation reported.

The women told the reporters of “unwanted sexual advances”, with some feeling they were victims of grooming and that he had abused a power imbalance which came with his celebrity status.

Mr Walliams, 55 – a long time panellist on Britain’s Got Talent – has firmly denied the allegations but told the journalists investigating his conduct that “at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with”.

He has insisted he is not a sexual predator or a groomer. “I have not broken the law but I am devastated that some of the women I met 10 to 20 years ago have now expressed hurt or anger towards me,” he said.

Publishers HarperCollins had already resolved not to print any more copies of his best-selling children’s books, with titles such as Mr Stink and Ratburger now unlikely to ever see a printing press again.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Camden confirmed that the books would not be on public display in its libraries. The same applies to his memoir, Camp David.

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “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.”

Schools in Camden have been left to make their own individual decisions about whether the books will be available to their pupils.

Mr Walliams had been the first high profile patron of the council-backed Camden Music Trust and was the celebrity guest at a schools concert held at the Royal Albert Hall every two years. He resigned this position after just a year of support and has not been connected to the trust since 2018.

The Labour Party has suspended his membership and the BBC has begun removing content involving him from its streaming service. An attraction based on his books at Alton Towers has been closed.

Meanwhile, Mr Walliams’ home overlooking Regent’s Park has been put on the market for around £10 million.

The Met Police said yesterday (Wednesday) that it had contacted The Guardian and ITV News to make sure any potential victims knew how to report criminal allegations.