Mr Lammy surprisingly added Bill Cosby to his list of role models (Image: Getty)
Justice Secretary David Lammy has revealed that disgraced US television star Bill Cosby was one of his top male role models growing up, in a shocking admission made while filming a video for civil servants to mark International Men’s Day.
When asked about his childhood heroes, Mr Lammy first mentioned former South African president Nelson Mandela, but then surprisingly added Cosby to the list.
The footage featuring the controversial comment about Cosby had to be cut from the final video, likely due to the star’s tainted reputation following numerous sexual assault allegations and a damning court verdict.
More than 60 women have accused Cosby of rape or sexual assault over the years, with the first allegation dating back to 1965.
Cosby found liable for sexually assaulting 16-year-old girl
In a landmark 2022 case, Cosby was found liable in the Los Angeles Supreme Court for having sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, cementing his fall from grace.
A source close to the Deputy PM stressed that Mr Lammy was speaking specifically about childhood role models and was referring to a time before Cosby’s horrific crimes were known to the public.
The source added: “Lammy’s view is that Cosby’s crimes were abhorrent, and he does not represent a role model for anyone.”
More than 60 women have accused Cosby of rape or sexual assault over the years (Image: Getty)
They explained that Mr Lammy had previously discussed how Cosby was seen as a role model for many young Black men in the 1980s, before his crimes came to light, during an era when positive portrayals of Black individuals were scarce on television.
The Justice Secretary’s admission has raised eyebrows, given Cosby’s now-infamous reputation and the gravity of the charges against him.
The decision to cut the footage from the International Men’s Day video suggests an acknowledgement of the inappropriate nature of holding up Cosby as a role model in light of his criminal actions.
