David Walliams has been accused of grooming teenage girls as young as 15 and abusing his position to pursue women, prompting Media Minister Ian Murray to call for stronger protection for people reporting misconduct in the industry. Walliams, 55, denies any wrongdoing.

The allegations emerged this week in a journalistic investigation. Giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday, Murray described a “cultural problem” in the media and called for a zero-tolerance approach, alongside support for victims and whistleblowers.

Murray said he was “deeply saddened and also angry” at the prevalence of abuse by men in the industry. He argued that changing its culture required people to have confidence that complaints would be heard and acted upon, without jeopardising their livelihoods.

“It’s career damaging, career limiting, if not even career ending,” he said of the risks facing those who report powerful figures.

He identified non-disclosure agreements as a “major part of the problem” and referred to Russell Brand, who was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday to 10-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Those convictions are distinct from the allegations against Walliams, which he denies.

Murray’s argument places the practical barriers to reporting alongside the demand for cultural change: a zero-tolerance policy depends on people being able to raise complaints safely. He said the Government was considering how to establish the best framework to support them, while also pressing the industry to address its own conduct. His evidence did not set out a specific change to the rules governing non-disclosure agreements.

Separately, Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson praised the bravery of women who had shared their experiences in recent days. Speaking in the Commons, she said a misogyny task force would address workplaces, communities and online activity, backed by £15 million. The Government was working with businesses and philanthropists to increase that funding, she added.