Deborah Frances-White recalls horror showbiz Christmas party assault on BBC Question Time
Deborah Frances-White described what she says was an assault by a "famous man" at a showbiz Christmas party during BBC Question Time this week.
A comedian and podcaster has revealed her disturbing encounter with 'a high profile man' at a showbiz Christmas party during BBC Question Time this week.
Fiona Bruce chaired an hour of discussion from Exeter, featuring politicians, commentators and members of the public. On the panel: from the Government, the Defence Minister Luke Pollard; the Conservatives' shadow AI minister Ben Spencer; Layla Moran from the Liberal Democrats, Matt Goodwin from Reform UK, and comedian and podcaster Deborah Frances-White.
The opening subject of discussion centred on how to safeguard women and girls from men in positions of power following the Russell Brand rape conviction and allegations emerging about David Walliams this week.
Deborah Frances-White, best recognised as the creator and host of the popular comedy podcast The Guilty Feminist, which has exceeded 200 million downloads and is recorded live globally, recounted her interaction with a "famous man". She did not identify the man or offer any particular details about the party at which the assault occurred.
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Deborah's experience Deborah Frances-White recounted her experience as a guest at a high-profile showbiz Christmas party. She said: "A high profile man, a famous man, who runs in the same circles as those who have been in the news in the last couple of weeks did a turn around the room walked past me, put his face into my cleavage and moved his head back and forth, in the manor that some men call 'motoboating', unpleasantly.
"And he just kept walking. And he just didn't introduce himself, there was no flirtation, nothing. He just kept going like I was a vending machine and I just was so shocked."
She added: "I knew full-well if I made a complaint I would be asked to leave the party, there's no question."
She went on to explain "he came around again and put his tongue in my mouth, he never said a single word to me."
Deborah revealed how she informed another partygoer about his behaviour and, reflecting on the incident, said: "It's kind of a weird sticky feeling that stays with you but I don't feel massively traumatised, but many women would and especially if someone has been assaulted before it would be extremely triggering."
Fiona Bruce questioned whether Deborah felt this problem extended beyond the entertainment industry, to which she responded: "It is wider, but the thing about fame is 'the talent is the product is the money'."
She concluded: "We need to make it more expensive to harbour predators."
BBC Question Time returns next week from Worthing.
