Government ministers are considering a staggered age of consent following the conviction of comedian Russell Brand, who was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison on Monday.
Work and Pensions Pat McFadden confirmed that the government would discuss the issue following recent reports of misconduct. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, McFadden said that “appalling” stories of “abuse of power by powerful men” have emerged this week.
Under current UK law, adults of any age are legally permitted to have sexual relationships with 16 and 17-year-olds. The push for reform follows a campaign by Mia Latter, who alleges she was raped by Brand when she was 16.
Latter, who was previously known under the pseudonym “Alice,” is now calling for legislation to make relationships between adults and 16- or 17-year-olds illegal. None of these six women were complainants in Brand’s recent criminal trial. Latter was 16 when she met the comedian, then 30.
“I think people were so struck by my story because of the age difference and the clear imbalance [in power].” (Mia Latter)
“I don’t want to criminalise teenagers having sex with each other,” Latter told the Sunday Times. “If you’re between the ages of 16 and 18, it seems reasonable that you can have relationships with each other, and [teenagers] are always going to. But… if you’re in your thirties, forties and fifties and you’re trying to have a relationship with someone under the age of 18, it [should be] a criminal offence.”
Addressing the potential for legislative change, McFadden said that the proposal has “been raised and will be discussed.” He added: “[I] can’t tell you what the conclusion of that would be, but the last week has certainly put that up in lights.”
He was acquitted of two counts of rape and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.
One woman characterized her alleged encounter with Walliams at age 15 as a “sexual assault.” Walliams rejected any allegations of criminal activity, stating he has never engaged in the grooming of young women, and specifically denied having sexual contact with that girl.
Other allegations include claims of inappropriate behavior while he was a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. On Friday, the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Walliams over reports of “alleged serious sexual offences.”
