Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace is facing sharp criticism from disability charities after appearing to link misconduct allegations against him to his recently disclosed autism diagnosis.
The backlash comes as 50 additional people have come forward with claims against the 60-year-old television personality.
Wallace, who was sacked from the BBC cooking programme, has denied allegations of inappropriate sexual comments, touching and groping.
In an Instagram statement this week, he revealed his autism diagnosis whilst defending himself against the accusations.
Several disability organisations have condemned any attempt to use autism as justification for alleged misconduct.
The controversy has intensified with reports that Wallace plans to sue the BBC and MasterChef producers for discrimination based on his autism diagnosis.
Disability charities and neurodiversity advocates have strongly rejected any suggestion that autism could excuse inappropriate behaviour.
Dan Harris, who runs the charity Neurodiversity in Business and is himself autistic, stated that whilst people like him “may miss social cues sometimes”, he emphasised, via BBC News: “But autism is not a free pass for bad behaviour.”
Emily Banks, founder of neurodiversity training body Enna, was equally clear: “To be clear: being autistic is never an excuse for misconduct.
“It doesn’t absolve anyone of responsibility, and it certainly doesn’t mean you can’t tell the difference between right and wrong.”
Seema Flower, founder of disabilities consultancy Blind Ambition, questioned: “Where does it leave us if we use autism as an excuse to behave in whatever way we like?”
Wallace wrote on Instagram: “My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef.
“Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over 20 years.”
The Telegraph reported that he intends to pursue legal action against the BBC and MasterChef makers for discrimination relating to his autism following his dismissal.
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Meanwhile, The Times has reported friends claiming his autism means he cannot wear underwear and that his condition was partly responsible for his alleged inappropriate behaviour.
An independent investigation by law firm Lewis Silkin, commissioned by production company Banijay, is examining the allegations.
Wallace claims the report has cleared him of “the most serious and sensational allegations”.
The controversy has sparked mixed reactions from the public and raised concerns about autism stereotypes.
Jessie Hewitson, Director of NeuroUniverse, warned that such remarks risk “forming a connection in peoples’ minds – either that autistic people behave inappropriately in the workplace or that we cannot take personal responsibility”.
Dan Harris added: “Comments like this stigmatise us and add an unfortunate negative focus on our community.”
However, some callers to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell Show expressed sympathy. One caller, Jake, suggested Wallace “needs some compassion to get him back where he needs to be and I feel for his mental health”.
Last year, charity Ambitious About Autism dropped Wallace as an ambassador following the original claims against him.