Russell Brand news – latest: Comedian postpones all tour dates as Met receives alleged sexual assault report

Russell Brand news – latest: Comedian postpones all tour dates as Met receives alleged sexual assault report
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Russell Brand’s final tour dates have been postponed as the Metropolitan Police has received a report of an alleged sexual assault in Soho in 2003 following a number of accusations that have been made against the comedian.

With him scheduled to perform at three more venues in September, a statement from Brand’s Bipolarisation show’s promoters said on Monday: “We are postponing these few remaining addiction charity fundraiser shows, we don’t like doing it – but we know you’ll understand.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Met confirmed officers are “in contact with” a woman who reported an alleged sexual assault to the force on Sunday after Brand was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotionally abusing four women between 2006 and 2013.

This comes as Katy Perry’s comments on the circumstances surrounding her split from Brand resurfaced. The 38-year-old previously revealed that her former husband called time on their relationship over text and described instances of him being “very controlling” during their relationship.

Since the publication on Saturday of their joint investigation with Channel 4’s Dispatches, The Times and The Sunday Times claimed that several other women have come forward with allegations against Brand and that those are now being “rigorously checked”.

The BBC and Channel 4 have pledged to investigate claims made about the former presenter, while Channel 4 has removed all programmes linked to Brand from its website.

The comedian has vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” and said his relationships were “absolutely always consensual”. His father, Ron Brand, has also jumped to his defence, describing the accusations as a “vendetta”.

If you have information in relation to the allegations against Russell Brand which you would like to share with The Independent’s reporting team, please email newsdesk@independent.co.uk

Key Points

  • Met Police receives report of alleged sexual assault

  • Brand accuser claims she was ‘picked up from school by cars BBC paid for’

  • Russell Brand denies rape and sexual assault claims against him

  • Katy Perry’s comments on split from Brand resurface

Ben Shapiro moves to defend ‘mainstream media’s attack’ on ‘friend' Russell Brand

10:27 , Barney Davis

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro moved to defend his “friend” Russell Brand has been targeted by mainstream media and dismisses allegations as “he said, she said” to his six million followers.

He posted a video on X saying: “Russell Brand, a person I consider a friend, has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and abuse between 2006 to 2013 in a supposed “exposé” from the Sunday Times in the U.K.

“I didn’t know Russell during that time, but the media did. They knew that Russell Brand was not only promiscuous but incredibly vile in the sorts of things that he said publicly about sex and about women, and yet the media were championing him.

“Ten years later, when Russell has fixed his life, he gets a full scale exposé about all of the allegations made by these women.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Andrews Sachs’ granddaughter: I don’t see Russell Brand as a rapist, he was always nice to me

10:10 , Barney Davis

Georgina Baillie, the woman at the centre of the Sachsgate scandal, has spoken to Piers Morgan about the allegations against her former flame Russell Brand.

She told TalkTV show last night: “From my own personal experience I do not see Russell as a rapist, however, the evidence is compelling so one has to keep an open mind.

“I’m not saying they are lies, it was a long time ago and they [the women] should be believed and get some help’.”

Brand’s other video platforms

09:58 , Sam Rkaina

Brand still has a presence on video platform Rumble, where his channel has 1.4 million followers and he hosts a weekly live show at 5pm BST, but there was no new episode on Monday.

His most recent video on Rumble is the short clip from Friday when he denied the allegations against him which were published the following day.

The Rumble channel description reads: “Everybody knows that the old ideas won’t help us. Religion is dead. Capitalism is dead. Communism is dead. Where will the answers of the next century lie? Particularly, when we’re facing a mental health epidemic and ecological meltdown.”

He also has a dedicated subscribers’ area on the online community platform Locals, where members can sign up for a minimum 60 US dollars (£48) a year – or enter a higher amount if they wish to donate more – in order to access special bonus content from Brand, as well as the opportunity to interact with him directly.

Vanessa Feltz shares clip of Russell Brand asking to sleep with her and her daughters

09:00 , Sam Rkaina

Why allegations like the ones against Russell Brand can take years to come to light

08:44 , Sam Rkaina

Following the rape and sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand, social media is full of conspiracy theories as to why they have been published now.

In a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, the 48-year-old comedian and TV presenter was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women, including a 16-year-old girl, during the height of his fame.

The alleged assaults occurred between 2006 and 2013, while Brand was presenting shows for the BBC and Channel 4. Brand has vehemently denied all allegations, saying all of his relationships have been consensual.

As the allegations spark inquiries by the BBC and Channel 4, questions from MPs and a widespread debate about the UK’s comedy scene, many on social media have been asking why it took so long for the allegations against Brand to be made public.

Many of Brand’s supporters have echoed his claim, made in a YouTube video that pre-empted the allegations, in which he suggested that mainstream media outlets were making a “coordinated attack” against him.

Click here for the full story.

 (Getty)
(Getty)

YouTube suspends monetisation of Russell Brand’s channel

07:57 , Sam Rkaina

YouTube has suspended the monetisation of Russell Brand’s channel for “violating our Creator Responsibility policy”, the Google-owned company said.

YouTube said the suspension of monetisation was because of the allegations made against Brand.

In a statement, YouTube said: “We have suspended monetisation on Russell Brand’s channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy. If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”

The company said that it had suspended Brand’s channel from the YouTube Partner Program “following serious allegations against the creator. This action means the channel is no longer able to monetise on YouTube”.

The decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by the 48-year-old, it added.

Watch: Brand claims ‘bosses enabled him to be a nutter’ in resurfaced interview

07:00 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand’s father accuses BBC of pursuing a ‘vendetta’ against his son

06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

The father of Russell Brand has accused the BBC of pursuing a “vendetta” against his son who has been accused of rape and sexual assault.

Ron Brand asked why the BBC was leading its coverage on “unproven accusations of 15 years ago” about his son.

Mr Brand wrote: “Is this seriously the most important thing happening in the World? Immigrants? Cost of Living? 10s of thousands killed in Ukraine? “Who is Prioritising at BBC News? Who is really driving this Vendetta?”

In a separate post, he added: “With many Struggling to pay bills. The unproven accusations of 15 Years ago take lead on BBC News?”

Recap: Sean Lock expresses ‘fears’ daughters ‘take someone like Brand home’

06:00 , Tara Cobham

A clip of the late comedian Sean Lock discussing his contempt for Russell Brand has gone viral in the wake of criminal allegations being made against the 48-year-old comedian.

Last weekend, Brand was the subject of an expose in The Times, The Sunday Times and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, featuring allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse from four women.

The alleged crimes took place between 2006 and 2013. Brand has denied all claims.

The clip in question is taken from the Channel 4 comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, and originally aired in November 2014. In the footage, Lock says that he “hates” Brand because of his role as a father, and “fears” his daughters would “bring someone like that home”.

Louis Chilton reports:

Sean Lock explains why he ‘hates’ Russell Brand in resurfaced clip

Kristen Bell comments about Russell Brand resurface after sex abuse allegations

05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Shortly after the release of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Kristen Bell told interviewers that she had to “intimidate” her co-star Russell Brand to make sure he understood she was not interested in a sexual relationship with him during the shoot.

Her recollections of her time with the British actor and comedian have resurfaced in the wake of allegations that he raped and sexually assaulted a number of women at the peak of his fame.

A joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches highlighted the stories of four women — including one who was 16 years old at the time — who say Brand either raped or sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013.

Brand has denied the allegations.

During an interview with the Scottish Daily Record, Bell said she was aware of Brand’s “womanising” and made it clear to him that she was not going to tolerate his advances.

Kristen Bell comments about Russell Brand resurface after sex abuse allegations

Recap: Downing Street describes Brand allegations as ‘serious and concerning’

05:00 , Tara Cobham

Downing Street described the allegations made against Russell Brand as “very serious and concerning”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “These are very serious and concerning allegations.

“The Met Police has asked anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward to speak to officers.

“As the Foreign Secretary said over the weekend, people should feel able to raise concerns where they have them and know they will be treated seriously and treated with sensitivity.

“The Prime Minister has been clear there should never be any space for harassment, regardless of where it is found.”

Watch: Russell Brand’s former manager ‘surprised’ at allegations: ‘Never had any complaints’

04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Russell Brand’s former manager has said he was “very surprised” to hear about the sexual assault allegations against his previous client.

John Noel told Channel 4 News he parted company with Brand around 2014 and said he could not comment on the allegations for legal reasons, before saying: “I’ve never had any complaints about him, other than turning up late. Yeah, that kind of thing. Standard stuff in our business.”

Brand denies all allegations made against him.

Russell Brand’s former manager ‘surprised’ at allegations: ‘Never had any complaints’

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry over text 14 months after lavish wedding

04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Katy Perry’s short-lived relationship with Russell Brand prompted a slew of headlines when the seemingly unlikely couple were first linked back in 2009 – and even more when they broke up just 14 months after their wedding.

The British comedian, 48, has now been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse during the height of his fame by four women. The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Brand has strongly denied all the “very serious allegations” made against him, which date back to between 2006 and 2013, and has insisted that his past relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

Perry, 38, has not addressed the allegations against her former husband. However, she has spoken in the past about the circumstances surrounding her split from Brand, and previously revealed that he called time on their relationship over text

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry with a text message

.

More calls have come in since Russell Brand investigation, says journalist

04:00 , Tara Cobham

Kristen Bell comments on Brand resurface after allegations

03:00 , Tara Cobham

Shortly after the release of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," Kristen Bell told interviewers that she had to "intimidate" her co-star Russell Brand to make sure he understood she was not interested in a sexual relationship with him during the shoot.

Her recollections of her time with the British actor and comedian have been dredged up in the wake of allegations that he raped and sexually assaulted a number of women at the peak of his fame.

A joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches highlighted the stories of four women — including one who was a minor at the time — who say Brand either raped or sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013.

Brand has denied the allegations.

Graig Graziosi reports:

Kristen Bell comments about Russel Brand resurface after sex abuse allegations

Recap: Goverment minister urges survivors to come forward

02:00 , Tara Cobham

A Government minister has urged women who have experienced sexual assault to report it to the police.

Asked by LBC radio host Nick Ferrari what broadcasters should do in the wake of allegations against Russell Brand, which the comedian and actor has denied, pensions minister Laura Trott told LBC radio: “I think everybody needs to do better.

“I think no woman, Nick, reading the allegations that were all over the place this weekend could do anything other than shudder. It’s horrific.

“And I pay absolute tribute to the women who’ve come forward and also the journalists that have pursued this, the editors who’ve allowed them to do that, the investment that’s been put in place and the huge legal risk that’s taken for stories such as these.

“We all need to do better. And I would just plead any woman who’s had experiences like this to come forward and to report them to the police.”

Watch: Caroline Nokes says Brand allegations are ‘shocking and criminal’

01:00 , Tara Cobham

Editorial: YouTube, X and Google must consider decisions on Brand

Tuesday 19 September 2023 00:00 , Editorial

Russell Brand has 6.61 million subscribers on YouTube, which is about the same number as he had before the latest allegations about rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse became public.

It’s a sizeable audience – a little bigger, for example, than the more wholesome Ant and Dec can pull in for ITV on a Saturday evening – and one that has clearly not been so repulsed by the claims about him to make the effort to unsubscribe. Nor has Google (corporately listed as Alphabet Inc), owner of YouTube, seen fit to “cancel” Brand, who must bring them (as well as himself) substantial revenues.

As was apparent on the very evening the story broke, Brand was still able to fill a theatre, though his performance was reportedly distracted. His fan base, misguided or not, are sticking with him, most remarking that he is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law – ie beyond reasonable doubt and setting a relatively high bar before they withdraw their adulation.

Read more here:

Editorial: YouTube, X and Google must consider their decisions on Russell Brand

Russell Brand: A career in comedy defined by darkness and delusions

Monday 18 September 2023 23:00 , Katie Rosseinsky

Scandal-ridden comedian. Hollywood husband. Drug addict-turned-wellness-guru. Left-wing activist. Conspiracy theorist. Over the course of two decades in the spotlight, the British stand-up and presenter Russell Brand has put forward many different personas to the public. Now, another, darker side to the comic has emerged, as he has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotionally abusing four women.

Brand released a video on Saturday 17 September before the allegations were made public to deny “serious criminal allegations” ,which he said related to his “promiscuous” past.

The 48-year-old comedian and actor said he “absolutely refutes” the claims and suggested two “mainstream media outlets” were making a “coordinated” attack against him. Later that day, a joint Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches investigation was released, revealing the allegations against him.

Read more here:

Russell Brand: A career in comedy defined by darkness and delusions

Watch: Brand’s former manager ‘surprised’ at allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 22:00 , Tara Cobham

Brand allegations ‘one of MeToo moments for TV’, says former C4 editor

Monday 18 September 2023 21:14 , Tara Cobham

The allegations that have been made against Russell Brand are "one of the MeToo moments for TV”, the former Editor-at-Large of Channel 4 has said.

Dorothy Byrne told Channel 4 News: “Historically there has been a culture in television of putting up with appalling behaviour by some men on the basis they are so-called stars."

Former culture secretary calls for outlawing NDAs if used over Brand allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 21:07 , Tara Cobham

Dame Maria Miller MP, former culture secretary and women’s minister, suggested non-disclosure agreements should be outlawed in the entertainment industry if they have been used to silence people over alleged incidents involving Russell Brand.

She told Sky News’ Politics Hub that the organisations involved should provide “an explanation as to why they didn’t have practices in place for people who wanted to speak out”.

“I think they’ve got to be held accountable for the way they’re treating their staff,” she said.

“I also want to dig more into some of the comments that were made over the weekend about people not feeling still able to speak out about these instances and particularly comments from both the BBC and also the talent company which made me feel that maybe non-disclosure agreements had been used potentially leading to people being silenced about things which are now patently issues that could be criminal allegations.”

Asked whether the use of NDAs should be looked at, she replied: “We’ve seen not only in this case but in other instances where media organisations have routinely been… been using industry standard non-disclosure secrecy provisions within contracts that they use when people suffer unlawful wrongdoing at work. I hope this isn’t the case here, but if it is I hope it gives impetus to the Government to take action.”

She added: “There’s been action taken to stop use of NDAs in universities and perhaps this instance with Russell Brand, if there are non-disclosure agreements involved, would indicate we need to take the same action to outlaw their use across… the entertainment industry too.”

Recap: Brand’s publisher ‘pauses’ future book projects

Monday 18 September 2023 21:00 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand’s publisher announced it is “pausing” all future book projects with the comedian after allegations of sexual assault were made against him.

Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, has published Brand’s titles including Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions and Mentors: How To Help And Be Helped in recent years.

In a statement to the PA news agency, the company said: “These are very serious allegations and in the light of them, Bluebird has taken the decision to pause all future publishing with Russell Brand.”

An upcoming title, Recovery: The Workbook, by the 48-year-old actor and presenter was due to be published by Bluebird in December 2025, according to company’s website.

This is why Russell Brand’s accusers are only talking about it now

Monday 18 September 2023 20:00 , Jessica Taylor

“Why are they only talking about this now?” “Why didn’t they report it to the police?” “Did they bring it upon themselves?” “Are they doing it for the money?” “Is this all just a plan to take down another successful man?”

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the president of the United States, a stand-up comedian or someone’s brother-in-law – when women speak out about alleged male violence, we hear the same, predictable responses.

Even before the allegations of sexual assault and rape had been shared by The Sunday Times, thousands took to social media to criticise the women as liars, attention seekers, fame-hungry, mentally ill... even plants from the government.

Anything but telling the truth.

Read more here:

This is why Russell Brand’s accusers are only talking about it now | Jessica Taylor

Kristen Bell comments about Brand resurface after sex abuse allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 19:46 , Tara Cobham

Shortly after the release of "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," Kristen Bell told interviewers that she had to "intimidate" her co-star Russell Brand to make sure he understood she was not interested in a sexual relationship with him during the shoot.

Her recollections of her time with the British actor and comedian have been dredged up in the wake of allegations that he raped and sexually assaulted a number of women at the peak of his fame.

A joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches highlighted the stories of four women — including one who was a minor at the time — who say Brand either raped or sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013. Brand has denied the allegations.

Graig Graziosi reports:

Kristen Bell comments about Russell Brand resurface after sex abuse allegations

Recap: Katy Perry’s comments on split from Brand resurface

Monday 18 September 2023 19:14 , Tara Cobham

Katy Perry’s short-lived relationship with Russell Brand prompted a slew of headlines when the seemingly unlikely couple were first linked back in 2009 – and even more when they broke up just 14 months after their wedding.

The British comedian, 48, has now been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse during the height of his fame by four women. The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Brand has strongly denied all the “very serious allegations” made against him, which date back to between 2006 and 2013, and has insisted that his past relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.

Perry, 38, has not addressed the allegations against her former husband. However, she has spoken in the past about the circumstances surrounding her split from Brand, and previously revealed that he called time on their relationship over text.

Katie Rosseinsky reports:

Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry with a text message

Brand ‘offers to take naked assistant to meet Jimmy Savile’ in resurfaced interview

Monday 18 September 2023 19:00 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand offered to take his personal assistant to meet Jimmy Savile naked in an apparent joke during an interview that has resurfaced following allegations against the actor.

Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse over a seven-year period at the height of his fame presenting on our screens and airwaves.

On his flagship Radio 2 show in 2007, Brand called Savile and told him it would “be very nice one day” to meet the Jim’ll Fix It presenter.

Barney Davis reports:

Russell Brand ‘offers to take naked assistant to see Jimmy Savile’ in resurfaced clip

Culture Committee will look for ‘reassurance’ from BBC, says chair

Monday 18 September 2023 18:20 , Tara Cobham

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Caroline Dinenage said the group will be looking for the same “reassurance” from the BBC which has been provided by Channel 4 in relation to the circumstances surrounding the allegations faced by Russell Brand.

Ms Dinenage told the BBC’s PM programme the committee would be examining “who knew what and when, and the extent to which any reports that happened at the time were investigated”.

She said: “What’s concerned me most has been the reaction across media and social media from the number of people that are saying ‘this is shocking but not surprising’, talking about open secrets and how this was, people were turning a blind eye, and that’s what does worry me and I think that’s what my committee will be looking at.

“The extent to which any of these really powerful and influential TV talent are able to be able to use that, exploit that enormous power and infleucne to potentially damage the live and careers of other people.”

Ms Dinenage said she would not “pre-empt” the work of the committee but said she expected it would write to “all the organisations concerned”.

“We’ve already heard from the chief executive of Channel 4 who’s already set out very clearly what they’ve done, what they’re doing and what they plan to do which has been really helpful and shows the degree of seriousness with which they are taking this situation.

“But we’ll be looking for the same kind of reassurance from the BBC. But also as I say it’s not enough to be looking backwards, I think we also have to look ahead and see what particularly public service broadcasters have in place now.”

Sean Lock expresses ‘fears’ daughters ‘take someone like Brand home’ in resurfaced clip

Monday 18 September 2023 17:51 , Tara Cobham

A clip of the late comedian Sean Lock discussing his contempt for Russell Brand has gone viral in the wake of criminal allegations being made against the 48-year-old comedian.

Last weekend, Brand was the subject of an expose in The Times, The Sunday Times and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, featuring allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse from four women.

The alleged crimes took place between 2006 and 2013. Brand has denied all claims.

The clip in question is taken from the Channel 4 comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, and originally aired in November 2014. In the footage, Lock says that he “hates” Brand because of his role as a father, and “fears” his daughters would “bring someone like that home”.

Louis Chilton reports:

Sean Lock explains why he ‘hates’ Russell Brand in resurfaced clip

C4 chief says Brand Dispatches raises ‘serious questions’ for media industry

Monday 18 September 2023 17:19 , Tara Cobham

Channel 4’s chief executive Alex Mahon has said Channel 4’s Dispatches – Russell Brand: In Plain Sight was a “brave and important piece of journalism” adding that it is “one that raises very serious questions for Channel 4 and many others in our industry.”

In an email sent to staff and seen by the PA news agency, she wrote: “You already know that I think it is critical that we eradicate all inappropriate and offensive behaviour in our industry, and that we always have a fair and supportive Channel 4 culture.

“People who work in our industry, and here at Channel 4, should be able to enjoy workplace cultures they can be proud of.”

She added: “While the allegations our team has helped unearth are deeply disturbing, I hope they can ultimately lead to further positive change in our industry, and I am committed to ensuring we are at the forefront of that change.”

Brand’s final Bipolarisation tour dates postponed

Monday 18 September 2023 16:51 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand’s final Bipolarisation tour dates have been postponed.

A statement from the show’s promoters said on Monday: “We are postponing these few remaining addiction charity fundraiser shows, we don’t like doing it – but we know you’ll understand.”

Brand was scheduled to perform at three more venues in September, including a show at the Theatre Royal in Windsor on Tuesday, The Pavilions in Plymouth on Friday, and The Civic At The Halls in Wolverhampton next Thursday.

In a statement, the Berkshire-based venues’s management said: “Theatre Royal Windsor will be offering ticket refunds in line with our terms and conditions of sale.”

The Devon-based venue said in a statement: “All tickets will be refunded direct from point of purchase, tickets purchased from the Ticket Store will automatically be refunded. If customers booked through the Ticket Store (and) your card details have changed, please contact enquiries@theticketstore.co.uk.”

Brand's conspiracy theory YouTube channel proves his skill of influencing others

Monday 18 September 2023 16:35 , Tara Cobham

Russell Brand has always prided himself on ruffling feathers.

Indeed, the ruffle-haired, one-time-winklepicker-championing anti-establishment icon even uses a crow (farting), as the logo for his website and podcast.

And yet, his preferred platforms have changed over the years: from London’s stand-up circuit to prime spots on British radio and terrestrial TV, to the Hollywood red carpet, and now to the favourite of every cash-hungry rebel – social media.

Harriet Brewis reports:

Russell Brand's conspiracy theory YouTube channel proves his skill of influencing others

Watch: GB News presenters clash after Beverley Turner calls Brand a ‘hero’

Monday 18 September 2023 16:13 , Tara Cobham

GB News presenters Andrew Pierce and Beverley Turner had an angry clash live on air as they discussed the sexual allegations faced by comedian Russell Brand.

Turner, 49, claimed Brand was being “attacked” and described him as a “hero” on X, formerly Twitter. The comedian denies all allegations against him.

After reading out her social media post, Pierce said: “Bev, that is shameful.”

“Don’t you think before you tweet you should establish whether these very serious allegations are true?”

Turner replies: “If that is what they have got after four years of a joint investigation, those four flimsy allegations, from those women who chose to stay anonymous, so there is no one that can counter their version of events.”

Lucy Leeson reports:

GB News presenters angrily clash after Beverley Turner calls Russell Brand a ‘hero’

Met Police receives report of alleged sexual assault

Monday 18 September 2023 15:50 , Tara Cobham

The Metropolitan Police has received a report of an alleged sexual assault in Soho, central London in 2003 following a number of accusations that have been made against comedian Russell Brand.

A spokesperson for the Met confirmed officers are “in contact with” a woman who reported the alleged sexual assault to the force on Sunday.

They said: “We are aware of reporting by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches about allegations of sexual offences.

“On Sunday, 17 September, the Met received a report of a sexual assault which was alleged to have taken place in Soho in central London in 2003. Officers are in contact with the woman and will be providing her with support.

“We first spoke with The Sunday Times on Saturday, 16 September and have since made further approaches to The Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offence is aware of how to report this to the police.

“We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us.”

The comedian has vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” and said his relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.

The Independent has contacted Brand’s representatives for updated comment.

Downing Street declines to urge broadcasters to take down Brand output

Monday 18 September 2023 14:50 , Tara Cobham

Downing Street declined to urge broadcasters and streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix to take down Russell Brand’s output.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s a decision for all broadcasters to consider the right approach in light of these very serious allegations. They are deeply concerning, they need to be investigated.

“But I’m not going to dictate the actions of broadcasters or streaming services.”

Writer speaks out about ‘culture that allowed Brand to thrive’

Monday 18 September 2023 14:30 , Tara Cobham

A historian and writer has spoken out about her experiences of being “constantly bothered by a boss in the media at the same time that Russel Brand was on the prowl” to highlight what she alleges is the “culture that allowed him to thrive”.

In a video posted on X, Dr Tessa Dunlop shared that she believes Russell Brand’s accusers and added that there are other “guilty parties”, claiming, “An entire industry facilitated the way he behaved.”

Citing similarities between her own experiences and Brand’s accusers, she said, “I was very young, I had no agency, I had a very insecure job,” adding: “Not only are younger women more attractive to predatory men, but conveniently, they also have less of a voice, are more insecure, and are less able to handle what’s happening to them.”

Caveating that she is on a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which legally limits what she is able to disclose, she did say she “didn’t play ball” with that boss and that severe consequences followed. “Instead, I lost my job, and I sued him - and it was an absolute nightmare,” she said. “It cost me my career, I was in the wilderness for 10 years, I nearly lost my house.”

Brand has vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” and said his relationships were “absolutely always consensual”. His father, Ron Brand, has also jumped to his defence and described the allegations as a “vendetta”.

Brand accuser claims she was ‘picked up from school by cars BBC paid for’

Monday 18 September 2023 14:15 , Tara Cobham

A woman has claimed that BBC cars had collected her from school to transport her to Russell Brand’s house when she was 16 years old.

Alice* told BBC Radio Four Woman’s Hour on Monday that she had been taken in a chauffeur-driven car on two occasions in 2006 while she was in a three month relationship with the presenter.

Brand was 30 years-old at the time of the alleged relationship with the then-schoolgirl. The 48-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him, which include a sexual assault against Alice.

Holly Evans reports:

Russell Brand accuser claims she was ‘picked up from school by cars BBC paid for’

Watch: Brand claims ‘bosses enabled him to be nutter’ in resurfaced interview

Monday 18 September 2023 13:45 , Tara Cobham

Women ‘need to be brave again’ and go to police, says Tory MP

Monday 18 September 2023 13:22 , Tara Cobham

Caroline Nokes, chair of the equality select committee, said women who have come forward with allegations against Russell Brand “need to be brave again” and go to the police.

She told Times Radio that “trial by media” does not bring justice. “That doesn't bring any sort of closure for the victims. That will only happen if there are criminal charges brought and perpetrators are taken to court and tried by a jury of their peers.”

“I think we absolutely have to give credit to those women who have been brave enough to speak out. Unfortunately, I think they are going to need to be brave again, and they're going to have to be very courageous and go to the police.”

Russell Brand’s father jumps to his defence over ‘unproven’ sexual assault allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 12:58 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s father has defended him against claims that he sexually abused four women during the height of his fame and labelled it a “vendetta”.

Ron Brand, 80, took to Facebook after the allegations against his comedian son were published over the weekend.

“Is this seriously the most important thing happening in this world?” he asked. “Immigrants? Cost of living? 10s of thousands killed in Ukraine? Who is prioritising at BBC News. Who is really driving this vendetta?”

Read more here

Russell Brand’s father jumps to his defence over ‘unproven’ sexual abuse allegations

Public needs to ask themselves why Brand was so popular, says BBC expert

Monday 18 September 2023 12:31 , Holly Evans

Roger Bolton, a former BBC editor and executive who runs the Beeb Watch podcast, told The Independent the public need to ask why they helped make Brand so popular.

“You can’t absolve the broadcasters of all responsibility,” he said. “I don’t want to give them a pass or excuse the BBC. But broadcasters are terrified of out of touch with a younger audience and are often responding to what’s popular.”

Former BBC editor asks ‘Why did we applaud this guy?’ (PA) (PA Wire)
Former BBC editor asks ‘Why did we applaud this guy?’ (PA) (PA Wire)

“We need to ask: why was he popular? He wasn’t secretive about a lifestyle that was pretty disgusting. He didn’t hide it. We need to ask ourselves the question – why did we applaud this guy? Why on earth are people going to his gigs, still?”

David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, said earlier that the culture in the media allowed Brand to behave in a misogynistic manner. He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “We were all part of this culture.”

MPs may launch ‘full-on inquiry’ in TV industry

Monday 18 September 2023 12:21 , Holly Evans

Senior Tory MP Caroline Dineage, chair of the Commons Culture, Media, and Sport select committee, has said that there may be a “full on inquiry” into the culture of “open secrets” in the TV industry.

She told Times Radio: “This is just the latest in what seemed to be a stream of these reports about culture in our TV industry, reports about situations where things were an open secret, things where people turned a blind eye … And I just don’t think it’s good enough.”

“So it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the committee that I’m chair of may decide that we’re going to do a full on inquiry into this kind of behaviour at the heart of television.”

Ms Dineage said her committee would write to Channel 4 and the BBC asking them to set out the process for the inquiries. “But we’re not ruling out inviting them in to give evidence to the select committee if we don’t feel that we’re getting a satisfactory response.”

Downing Street says Brand allegations are ‘serious and concerning

Monday 18 September 2023 12:15 , Holly Evans

Downing Street have described the allegations against Russell Brand as “concerning” and said there was no space for “harassament”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “These are very serious and concerning allegations.

“The Met Police has asked anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward to speak to officers.

“As the Foreign Secretary said over the weekend, people should feel able to raise concerns where they have them and know they will be treated seriously and treated with sensitivity.

“The Prime Minister has been clear there should never be any space for harassment, regardless of where it is found.”

Downing Street called the allegations ‘concerning’ (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)
Downing Street called the allegations ‘concerning’ (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

BBC and Channel 4 must come clean about any NDAs, says ex-culture secretary

Monday 18 September 2023 12:11 , Holly Evans

Maria Miller, former Tory culture secretary, said the BBC and Channel 4 must revealed whether any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) were used for Russell Brand during his time working on programmes.

“There are questions to answer about whether non-disclosure agreements were used to cover up any of the allegations of illegal wrong doing,” she told The Independent.

Ms Miller said it was “disturbing” that the entertainment industry continues to refer to NDAs and settlement agreements as “industry standard” in contracts that deal with wrongdoing – call for a change in the law to prevent any “cover ups”.

“There needs to be a legal ban on any attempts to cover up sexual misconduct at work which would mean perpetrators of this type of sexual assault and worse cannot continue to be a danger to those who they work with.”

Russell Brand publisher pauses work with comedian after rape and sexual assault allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 11:47 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s publisher has paused its work with the comedian and TV presenter after allegations of rape and sexual assault were made against him.

Brand, 48, has vehemently denied the allegations against him and says all of his relationships have been consensual. He is accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. Others have accused Brand of predatory and abusive behaviour.

Publisher Bluebird has now announced that it has paused all future publishing with Brand. The comedian was also dropped by his agent, Tavistock Wood, following an investigation by The Times and Sunday Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

Read more here

Russell Brand publisher pauses work with comedian after assault allegations

Russell Brand's father speaks out on 'vendetta' against his son

Monday 18 September 2023 11:38 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s father, Ronald Brand, has spoken out about the allegations of rape and sexual assault aimed at his son by a series of women over the weekend.

Brand was the subject of a huge expose in The Times newspaper and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary which claimed that the comedian and actor had a history of sexual assault with women as young as sixteen, all claims that the 48-year-old has strongly denied.

Read more here

Russell Brand's father speaks out on 'vendetta' against his son

Brand accuser says ‘exceptions and allowances’ were made for presenter

Monday 18 September 2023 11:31 , Holly Evans

Asked what she would want from the BBC, Alice says she’d like to know why more was not done at the time of their relationship in 2006.

“He had a very well known record of doing things that were inappropriate on the air, he had inappropriate conversations.”

Alice says she doesn’t think Brand was being held to the same standards as other BBC presenters or newsreaders.

“There were exceptions and allowances made for him and we need to ask ourselves why,” she added.

The BBC has said it “urgently looking into the issues raised” by the allegations.

Brand on stage in 2006 (PA)
Brand on stage in 2006 (PA)

Accuser says she was left feeling ‘dirty’ after relationship with Brand

Monday 18 September 2023 11:13 , Holly Evans

Speaking of her alleged first sexual experiences with Brand at the age of 16, Alice recalled feeling “dirty” and struggled to finish her education.

“I felt used up, cheap, dirty by the whole thing,” she said.

“I had another series of relationships with people who were sleazy because I thought if I go for bottom of the barrel I can never be disappointed by anyone because I know to expect the absolute worst.”

At the time, she was recovering from an eating disorder and described herself as “not in a good place mentally”.

The comedian has vehemently denied all the allegations and described them as a “co-ordinated attack”.

Brand ‘coached’ teenager to lie to her parents about alleged relationship

Monday 18 September 2023 11:08 , Holly Evans

Alice says her mother tried to “stop what was going on”, took her phone away, and grounded her. But, she says, she was still able to continue the relationship with Brand.

“I’m 16 years old so I need to definitely to go to school. I need to go to after-school activities. I need to see my friends, within those times that I would sneak off and see him.”

“Russell groomed me, he coached me on what to say to my parents,” she claimed.

“He told me to save his number in my phone in a different name. I think we should at least start to think about changing the ideas of consent, because the individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 can have relations with people within that same age.”

Brand has denied the allegations against him.

Brand’s management suggested teenager ‘pretend to be his goddaughter or niece'

Monday 18 September 2023 11:06 , Holly Evans

Alice claimed that meetings took place between Brand’s management and the presenter in which they discussed their relationship, and he was advised it was “not a good look” to be dating a 16-year-old.

At the time of the alleged relationship, the presenter was 30 years old.

Speaking to BBC Women’s Hour, Alice, whose real identity has been protected, claimed there were suggestions she should be referred to as his goddaughter or niece.

She then claimed it was decided that she should remain within his four walls and that their relationship should stay a secret.

“Because people know he was an only child, they said ‘why don’t you just meet inside?,” she alleged.

“You’re not doing anything illegal but because people disapprove, we just don’t risk being seen out and about publicly. We would go in and out the house a different times.”

A woman said her alleged relationship with Brand was forced to remain a secret (PA)
A woman said her alleged relationship with Brand was forced to remain a secret (PA)

Accuser claims BBC car picked her up from school to travel to Brand’s house

Monday 18 September 2023 10:54 , Holly Evans

A woman accusing Russell Brand of engaging in a three-month relationship with her while she was 16 and he was 30 years old has claimed a BBC car collected her from school.

“The BBC would arrange cars for him so I’d seen him previously being picked up by this car. It was a chauffeur driven car, it was different to just calling a cab,” she said.

“He had a friend taking him to do his radio show so he said ‘you go in the car and go wherever you need to go from there’ so I took the BBC car that time. On another occasion a BBC car picked me up from school to go back to his house.”

Referred to as Alice, the woman claims her relationship with Brand became emotionally abusive before he sexually assaulted her.

Woman says Brand’s denial is ‘insulting’

Monday 18 September 2023 10:50 , Holly Evans

When asked about his denials, one of Brand’s accuser told BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour: “First of all, I think it’s insulting and it’s laughable that he would even imply this is some kind of mainstream media conspiracy. He’s not outside of the mainstream.”

She also added it was “not a surprise” to see Brand’s denials and believed that he had been “building up his audience” to believe in conspiracy theories for years.

Brand accuser says it feels ‘surreal’ to see her story in newspapers

Monday 18 September 2023 10:43 , Holly Evans

Alice, one of four women to accuse Russell Brand of sexual abuse, says it feels “surreal” to see her story being reported everywhere.

She tells BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour that she wasn’t expecting her story to “make such an impact” because “when it’s your own story it’s hard to look at it objectively”.

Alice, whose identity has been protected, says she can’t say she’s “glad because it’s been an unpleasant experience,” but adds it was important to come forward to protect people in the future

Donald Trump once asked Katy Perry why she married 'loser' Russell Brand

Monday 18 September 2023 10:29 , Holly Evans

Donald Trump’s Twitter timeline was a mixture of ridiculous and unhinged before being banned in 2021, most of it not worth revisiting.

However, people are now returning to one tweet about Russell Brand from way back in 2014 following allegations against the comedian.

Trump tweeted Katy Perry before he announced his run for president, asking what she saw in “loser” Brand

Donald Trump once asked Katy Perry why she married 'loser' Russell Brand

More calls have come in since Russell Brand investigation, says journalist

Monday 18 September 2023 10:11 , Holly Evans

The team of journalists behind an investigation detailing claims of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Russell Brand has received “a huge amount of information” and “fresh allegations” since it was published on Saturday (16 September), an editor who worked on the investigation has said.

More calls have come in since Russell Brand investigation, says journalist

Russell Brand defended by his father over rape allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 09:58 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand’s father has jumped to his defence after the comedian was accused of rape and sexual assault.

Taking to Facebook, 80-year-old Ron Brand said: “Is this seriously the most important thing happening in this world? Immigrants? Cost of living? 10s of thousands killed in Ukraine? Who is prioritising at BBC News. Who is really driving this vendetta?’.

He added: “With many struggling to pay bills. The unproven accusations of 15 years ago take lead on BBC News?”.

The allegations about Brand were initially published by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

In his autobiography, My Booky Wook, Brand discussed their relationship and claimed that he had lost his virginity to a prostitute that was paid for by his father.

Russell Brand went to rehab after ‘do-gooders’ convinced him his sexual behaviour could ‘damage his career’

Monday 18 September 2023 09:42 , Holly Evans

An excerpt from Russell Brand’s 2007 memoir has resurfaced following rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse allegations made against him by four women.

Four women spoke out against the Essex-born comedian, who pre-emptively and vehemently denied the “very serious allegations” against him in a statement shared on YouTube.

Read the full excerpt here

Russell Brand went to sex rehab over fears behaviour could ‘damage’ career

Russell Brand boasts about kissing Meghan Markle while ‘out of it’ on film set

Monday 18 September 2023 09:20 , Holly Evans

Russell Brand boasts about kissing Meghan Markle while ‘out of it’ on film set

A Government minister has urged women who have experienced sexual assault to report it to the police

Monday 18 September 2023 09:12 , Holly Evans

Asked by LBC radio host Nick Ferrari what broadcasters should do in the wake of allegations against Russell Brand, which the comedian and actor has denied, pensions minister Laura Trott told LBC radio: “I think everybody needs to do better.

“I think no woman, Nick, reading the allegations that were all over the place this weekend could do anything other than shudder. It’s horrific.

“And I pay absolute tribute to the women who’ve come forward and also the journalists that have pursued this, the editors who’ve allowed them to do that, the investment that’s been put in place and the huge legal risk that’s taken for stories such as these.

“We all need to do better. And I would just plead any woman who’s had experiences like this to come forward and to report them to the police.”

A government minister has urged women to contact the police (PA)
A government minister has urged women to contact the police (PA)

Russell Brand episodes removed from Channel 4 website following sexual assault allegations

Monday 18 September 2023 08:41 , Holly Evans

Channel 4 has removed a number of TV episodes starring Russell Brand from its catch-up series, following allegations of sexual assault against the presenter.

The comedian, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women, with the alleged incidents taking place between 2006 and 2013. At the time, Brand was at the height of his fame in the UK and was working as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4.

Read the full story here

Russell Brand episodes removed from Channel 4 website following rape allegations