EuropeDevelopingDay 1
David Walliams sexual misconduct allegations
David Walliams, 55, identified as the celebrity who sought an injunction to block ITV News and the Guardian from naming him over allegations by two women who say they met.
Updated 18:50 UTC, 10 November 2026 · 8 reports from 6 outlets · 5 confirmed · 1 contested · 30 one-source
Top reportUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
Image: RT
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Written by AI only from the receipts on this page; each number links to the claim that line rests on.
People, places & organisations
What changed
Last 48 hours, newest first (times UTC)
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Where it stands David Walliams, 55, identified as the celebrity who sought an injunction to block ITV News and the Guardian from naming him over allegations by two women who say they met.
43 earlier changes
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Ghost edit SCMP World edited "UK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual assault – denies claims": Headline changed from "sexual misconduct" to "sexual assault"; body removed defendants' claim that Walliams used status to contact young women and engage in inappropriate conduct.
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Where it stands David Walliams, 55, is the celebrity who fought to block sexual misconduct allegations; two women say they met him at 15 and allege grooming, while he writes he is not.
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Where it stands David Walliams wrote that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law.
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New claim David Walliams is 55 years old.
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Story opened David Walliams has been identified as the British celebrity accused of sexual misconduct after court efforts to keep his identity secret.
How it’s being told
One card per media bloc. Each summary is written only from that bloc’s own headlines and quotes.
Russian state media
RTState media
RT foregrounds the allegations against David Walliams and his denials, centring his own words: 'I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,' he wrote. It describes him as the UK's 'bestselling children's author' accused of 'using his celebrity status to pursue young women and teenage girls,' and notes his unsuccessful bid to block publication, which he argued could drive him to suicide.
European media
The GuardianNon-profit
The Guardian centres David Walliams's own denial, quoting him saying 'I am not a sexual predator' and that he 'never' abused a power imbalance, while noting he 'denies the allegations.' It foregrounds the claim that he 'alleged to have groomed fans he met when they were as young as 15,' and gives space to his expressions of regret about behaving 'thoughtlessly.'
US media
The New York TimesPrivate
The New York Times centres David Walliams himself, framing both headlines around his identity and the accusations against him, asking 'Who Is David Walliams, the UK Entertainer Accused of Sexual Misconduct?' and stating that the 'UK Celebrity, Is Accused of Sexual Misconduct'. The outlet foregrounds the allegations and his public profile, while the headlines do not mention the injunction or the two women who say they met him.
Middle East state media
Al JazeeraState media
Al Jazeera foregrounds the allegations themselves, leading with the claim that UK children’s author David Walliams was 'accused of grooming minors' and centring the account of a woman named as Jade, who says 'I think I was groomed, 100 percent.' It gives space to Walliams’s response, noting his lawyers 'denied sexual contact with Jade' and quoting his statement that 'I am not a sexual predator,' while also covering the blocked injunction and the BBC’s review.
Asian media
The Times of IndiaPrivateSouth China Morning PostPrivate
Asian media foregrounds Walliams being named and the court effort to keep his identity hidden, centring his legal action and the allegations. The Times of India leads with his London home listed at £10.5 million and reports he was 'accused of targeting girls and women, some as young as 15', while the South China Morning Post calls him 'UK children’s author'. Coverage notes 'He has denied the allegations' and that his HarperCollins association ended in 2025.
- David Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving teenage fans
- UK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
- David Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct allegations, who took media organizations to court to stop his identity from being revealed
In their words
What the people at the centre of this story said, word for word, with the article each quote appeared in.
I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law
I think I was groomed, 100 percent. We met when I was 15, and he was promising to help me
all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms
Receipts
Every claim with the verbatim sentence it came from. Tap a claim to see its sources.
Confirmed 5
Reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the actor itself.
David Walliams sought a court injunction to bar ITV News and the Guardian from identifying him.
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“He had sought a court injunction to bar ITV News and the Guardian from identifying him in their reporting.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
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“He sought a court injunction to prevent ITV News and The Guardian from identifying him in their reporting but was blocked by a UK High Court judge last week.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
Walliams wrote that he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law.
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““I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,” he wrote, adding that he regretted hurting women’s feelings but had never abused his celebrity status.”
RTState mediaAttributesUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
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“He added: “I am not a sexual predator. 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.””
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
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““I am not a sexual predator,” Walliams said, according to ITV.”
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
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““I am not a sexual predator. 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 wrote.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
Two women claimed they first met David Walliams when they were 15 and alleged they were groomed.
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“The allegations, uncovered in a three-year joint investigation by the Guardian and Independent Television News (ITN), include accounts from two women who claim he groomed them after first meeting them when they were 15.”
RTState mediaAttributesUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
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“Two women claimed they first met Walliams when they were 15 and alleged that they were groomed.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
David Walliams is 55 years old.
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“Walliams, 55, best known for the comedy series Little Britain, his role as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, and a string of bestselling children’s books, has been accused of using his celebrity status to pursue young women and teenage girls for sex.”
RTState mediaReportsUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
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“Walliams, 55, was previously referred to only as “PPT” in court proceedings as he sought to stop ITN and The Guardian from revealing his identity and reporting allegations that he had used his fame and influence to pursue inappropriate and exploitative sexual relationships with girls and young women over several years.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
David Walliams was identified as the celebrity who fought a legal battle to block sexual misconduct allegations.
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“He was identified on Tuesday as the celebrity who unsuccessfully sought to prevent the publication of sexual misconduct allegations, arguing that the revelations could drive him to suicide.”
RTState mediaReportsUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
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“British comedian and children's author David Walliams has been identified as the celebrity who fought a lengthy legal battle to prevent two major media organisations from publishing sexual misconduct allegations against him.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
Contested — both sides 1
At least one outlet reports it and another denies it.
David Walliams denies sexual misconduct, predatory behaviour, harassment and workplace wrongdoing.
Reports it
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“In a personal letter to journalists investigating the allegations, published on Tuesday, Walliams denied wrongdoing while acknowledging that he had sometimes behaved thoughtlessly in past sexual relationships.”
RTState mediaAttributesUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
Denies it
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“Walliams has denied sexual misconduct, predatory behaviour, harassment and workplace wrongdoing.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateDeniesDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
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“He denies the allegations.”
The GuardianNon-profitDeniesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
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“Walliams, 55, denied the allegations.”
South China Morning PostPrivateDeniesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
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“He has denied the allegations.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateDeniesDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
One source 30
Only one outlet so far. Shown, never hidden — treat with care.
A woman named Alex says she was groomed, meeting Walliams at 15 when he promised to help her.
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““I think I was groomed, 100 percent. We met when I was 15, and he was promising to help me,” she said.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
David Walliams's lawyers deny sexual contact with Jade.
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“Walliams’s lawyers denied sexual contact with Jade.”
Al JazeeraState mediaDeniesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
A woman named Jade says Walliams contacted her at age 15 and invited her to his house in 2007.
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“A woman named as “Jade” said Walliams, then aged 36, contacted her through a social media page showing her age as 15 and invited her to his house in 2007.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
The BBC is removing some programmes and will review all material featuring and written by David Walliams on its platforms.
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“Following ITV News and The Guardian’s investigation, the BBC said it was removing some programmes and would conduct a review of “all material featuring and written by David Walliams on our platforms”.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
David Walliams denies targeting teenagers and using his fame to manipulate them to have sex.
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“Walliams denied targeting teenagers and using his fame to manipulate them to have sex, his lawyers told the media.”
Al JazeeraState mediaDeniesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
David Walliams is accused of grooming teenage fans and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at his house.
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“British comedian and children’s author David Walliams, 55, has been accused of grooming teenage fans and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at his house, according to British media outlets.”
Al JazeeraState mediaAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of grooming minors
David Walliams said he regretted hurting women's feelings but never abused his celebrity status.
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““I am not a sexual predator. I have not broken the law,” he wrote, adding that he regretted hurting women’s feelings but had never abused his celebrity status.”
RTState mediaAttributesUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
The Guardian and ITN conducted a three-year joint investigation into the allegations against David Walliams.
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“The allegations, uncovered in a three-year joint investigation by the Guardian and Independent Television News (ITN), include accounts from two women who claim he groomed them after first meeting them when they were 15.”
RTState mediaReportsUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
David Walliams has been accused of sexual misconduct involving young women and teenage girls.
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“British comedian and bestselling children’s author David Walliams has been accused of sexual misconduct involving young women and teenage girls, according to British media.”
RTState mediaAttributesUK’s bestselling children’s author named in sex abuse scandal
Walliams' publishing association with HarperCollins ended in 2025 after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women emerged.
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“However, his publishing association with HarperCollins came to an end in 2025 after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young women emerged.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
A High Court judge ruled that the risk of suicide was not sufficient grounds to prevent publication.
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“The legal proceedings reportedly involved claims that the celebrity posed a serious risk of suicide if publicly identified.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
The townhouse's asking price was reduced at the beginning of October.
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“While it remains unclear exactly when the property was first listed, its asking price was reduced at the beginning of October, according to a Rightmove listing.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
Walliams bought the Regent's Park townhouse for £8.45 million in 2013.
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“Located in the sought-after Regent’s Park neighbourhood of London, the sprawling townhouse was purchased by Walliams for £8.45 million in 2013, according to HM Land Registry records.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
Walliams was accused of targeting girls and women, some as young as 15, for sexual purposes.
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“According to the reports, Walliams was accused of targeting girls and women, some as young as 15, for sexual purposes.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateAttributesDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
David Walliams was named on November 10 by The Guardian and ITN after a High Court battle over publication of allegations.
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“The 55-year-old comedian, children’s author and former Britain’s Got Talent judge was named on November 10 by The Guardian and ITN following a High Court battle over an attempt to prevent the publication of the allegations.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
David Walliams' London townhouse is listed for sale at £10.5 million.
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“David Walliams’ lavish London home has come into the spotlight after the four-bedroom townhouse was listed for sale at a staggering £10.5 million, amid a major controversy surrounding allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards teenage fans.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams’ London home on sale for £10.5 million amid sexual misconduct involving…
Justice Matthew Nicklin dismissed the injunction bid, calling it an exceptionally serious interference with media companies' rights.
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“Justice Matthew Nicklin dismissed the injunction bid, saying the legal measure would mean “an exceptionally serious interference” with the rights of the media companies.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
A judge rejected David Walliams' injunction request last week.
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“A judge rejected his injunction request last week, but protected his identity until late on Monday.”
South China Morning PostPrivateReportsUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
One woman accused David Walliams of sexually assaulting her when she was 15.
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“One woman said he sexually assaulted her when she was 15.”
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
David Walliams used his fame to groom girls and young women for sex, two British news outlets reported.
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“British children’s author and comedian David Walliams used his fame to groom girls and young women for sex, two British news outlets reported on Tuesday.”
South China Morning PostPrivateAttributesUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
Walliams wrote that abusing a power imbalance is something he never did.
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“And whilst a power imbalance is inevitable when one party is famous, abusing that power is something else entirely and it is something that I never did.””
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
Walliams wrote that he did not always take people's feelings properly into account and regrets it.
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““I realise I did not always take people’s feelings properly into account. That is something I regret.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
Walliams wrote that he behaved thoughtlessly at times towards people he had casual sexual relationships with.
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““Looking back, I realise that at times I behaved thoughtlessly towards other people I had casual sexual relationships with.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
David Walliams is alleged to have groomed fans he met when they were as young as 15.
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“David Walliams, the comedian and former Britain’s Got Talent judge, is alleged to have groomed fans he met when they were as young as 15.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
Multiple women allege David Walliams abused his power as a celebrity to prey on them sexually when they were young women.
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“Multiple women allege David Walliams abused his power and position as a celebrity to prey on them for sexual purposes when they were young women, an investigation by the Guardian and ITV News has found.”
The GuardianNon-profitAttributesThe allegations against David Walliams - podcast
The court's decision did not establish whether the allegations against David Walliams were true.
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“The court's decision did not establish whether the allegations against Walliams were true.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
HarperCollins ended its publishing relationship with David Walliams in 2025 after an internal investigation.
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“HarperCollins ended its publishing relationship with the author in 2025 following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young female employees.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
Judge Matthew Nicklin rejected David Walliams's bid to prevent the reports from being published.
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“Judge Matthew Nicklin rejected his bid to prevent the reports from being published, ruling that the public interest in allowing the media organizations to report their findings outweighed the arguments for maintaining the injunction.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
David Walliams's identity was revealed on Tuesday after he failed to secure an injunction.
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“The identity of the former Little Britain star was revealed on Tuesday after he failed to secure an injunction preventing publication of the allegations.”
The Times of IndiaPrivateReportsDavid Walliams unmasked as mystery British celebrity facing sexual misconduct…
David Walliams, a UK celebrity, is accused of sexual misconduct.
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“David Walliams, UK Celebrity, Is Accused of Sexual Misconduct”
The New York TimesPrivateReportsDavid Walliams, UK Celebrity, Is Accused of Sexual Misconduct
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“Who Is David Walliams, the UK Entertainer Accused of Sexual Misconduct?”
The New York TimesPrivateReportsWho Is David Walliams, the UK Entertainer Accused of Sexual Misconduct?
Ask about this story
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Watch
News video from the outlets covering this story.
Comedian Lucy Beaumont: I offered to pay legal fees for woman who signed Walliams NDA
What allegations have been made against David Walliams? #BBCNews
The David Walliams allegations | BBC Newscast
Comedian Lucy Beaumont: I offered to pay legal fees for woman who signed Walliams NDA
British children's author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct
David Walliams loses court bid to block publication of sexual misconduct allegations | BBC News
'I am not a sexual predator': Walliams named as celebrity who lost injunction bid
BREAKING: David Walliams named as celebrity who lost injunction bid
Ghost edits
Changes outlets made to their articles after publishing, caught by re-reading them.
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Before
David Walliams,UK children’sauthor, accused of, denies,sexualmisconductAfterUK children’s author David Walliams accused of sexual assault – denies claims
Headline changed from "sexual misconduct" to "sexual assault"; body removed defendants' claim that Walliams used status to contact young women and engage in inappropriate conduct.
Removed
The defendants allege the claimant used his status and influence to establish contact with young women, some considerably younger than him, and engaged or sought to engage in seriously inappropriate conduct Gavin Millar, representing two…AddedGavin Millar, representing the media companies, has said that the allegations were gathered after “a wide-ranging and rigorous investigation” and that there was a strong public interest in publishing them.
All sources
8 reports from 6 outlets — with who owns each outlet and who pays for it.
RT State media
RussiaOwner: ANO TV-NovostiPaid by: Russian federal budget
The New York Times Private
United StatesOwner: The New York Times CompanyPaid by: subscriptions + advertising
The Times of India Private
IndiaOwner: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (The Times Group)Paid by: advertising + circulation
Al Jazeera State media
QatarOwner: Al Jazeera Media NetworkPaid by: funded by the State of Qatar
South China Morning Post Private
Hong KongOwner: Alibaba Group (since 2016)Paid by: advertising + subscriptions
The Guardian Non-profit
United KingdomOwner: Guardian Media Group, owned by the Scott Trust LimitedPaid by: reader contributions + subscriptions + advertising; Scott Trust endowment
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5 confirmed · 1 contested · 30 one-source6 outletsUpdated