Schools and libraries in London are removing David Walliams’ books from their shelves after he was identified as the celebrity facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Camden Council and academy trusts have acted following the claims, citing concerns about protecting children from potential trauma and promoting healthy relationships.

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 decide for themselves whether to keep his books. The council’s decision concerns their removal from display, rather than a requirement for schools across the borough to withdraw them.

Millions of Walliams’ books have been sold around the world. His titles include Billionaire Boy, with which he was pictured.

Other school leaders have advised removing Walliams’ books as he faces sex claims from several women, having failed to obtain an injunction to prevent the allegations against him from being reported.

Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust, which runs 59 schools across England, said the academy trust had issued guidance to headteachers advising them to remove Walliams’ books temporarily.

He explained: “Our advice is, for the sake of our children and to protect our children, the right thing to do – because this will traumatise some children without doubt if they read his name or see his face – is to remove books from our libraries temporarily.”

The trust has 16 schools in London and the South East, including schools in Lambeth, Croydon and Enfield. Its advice to headteachers is for a temporary removal of the books from school libraries.

Academy trust GLF Schools, which runs 43 schools, many of them in London’s commuter belt, has also decided to remove Walliams’ books from its school libraries.

The Association of School and College Leaders has called on the Government to issue guidance to help headteachers decide what to do with Walliams’ books in their schools.

His titles include The Boy in the Dress, Fing and Gangsta Granny. The latter was turned into a one-hour BBC special in 2013, followed by a sequel starring Sheridan Smith in 2022.

Walliams has denied the claims, saying he had “never been informed of any allegations raised against him” or been asked to co-operate with the HarperCollins investigation. He was also pictured giving his final approval to the new Gangsta Granny: The Ride at Alton Towers.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told MPs that ministers “would not hesitate” to take action if the protections put in place were inadequate.

Speaking in the Commons, she criticised inaction by the BBC following reviews into the behaviour of other high-profile broadcasters over the past decade.

She also said she would discuss the use of non-disclosure agreements during a meeting with media and entertainment executives next week.