Russell Brand news – latest: Katy Perry and Dannii Minogue comments resurface amid rape allegations
The BBC and Channel 4 have pledged to investigate claims made about comedian Russell Brand after he was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotionally abusing four women during the height of his fame.
The alleged assaults occurred between 2006 and 2013, while he was a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4, and include an assault on a 16-year-old girl.
Channel 4 has removed all programmes linked to Brand from its website after the allegations surfaced.
Meanwhile, resurfaced interviews reveal that Brand’s ex-wife Katy Perry described his behaviour as “very controlling”, while pop star Dannii Minogue also labelled him a “vile predator” in 2006.
The Metropolitan Police have said they are aware of “media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault” but had not received any reports in relation to this.
The 48-year-old vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” ahead of the Sunday Times article and an expose which was aired by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme.
As the allegations were aired on Saturday, Brand was performing a sold-out gig in London, where he told audience members they would “appreciate” that there were certain things he could not talk about.
Key Points
Channel 4 removes all programmes linked to Brand
Russell Brand denies rape and sexual assault claims against him
Met Police encourages any victims of sexual assault to contact them
BBC ‘urgently looking’ into allegations made about former presenter
Dannii Minogue called Brand a ‘vile predator’ in resurfaced interview
Tucker Carlson shows support for Brand on X
05:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Tucker Carlson backed Russell Brand on social media after the British comedian posted a video refuting all allegations of rape and sexual assault that have been levelled at him.
Mr Carlson wrote on X/Twitter: “Criticize the drug companies, question the war in Ukraine, and you can be pretty sure this is going to happen.”
In the video, Brand claimed that all his “relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual”.
He added: “I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent, and I am being transparent about it now as well.”
Meanwhile, Channel 4 has removed all programmes linked to Brand from its online repository. And Netflix is under pressure to follow suit.
Icymi: Russell Brand’s explosive row with Rod Stewart over daughter Kimberley resurfaces amid rape allegations
05:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Years before disturbing allegations emerged against Russell Brand, the comedian became embroiled in a high-profile row with legendary musician Rod Stewart.
Brand, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women. He has strongly denied all the “very serious allegations” made against him, insisting that his relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.
The claims appeared in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, and date back to the period between 2006 and 2013.
The Independent has contacted Brand’s representatives for further comment.
At the GQ Man of the Year Awards in 2006, Brand incurred the ire of Stewart, 78, after making a crude remark about the singer’s daughter Kimberley.
While accepting the Most Stylish award during the ceremony, Brand made a jibe at Stewart, who was in the audience.
“Here’s to Rod Stewart who had a go at me earlier this year for too much womanising,” he said. “But then again I did have a go on his daughter.”
When Stewart was then invited on stage to accept his Outstanding Achiever award in recognition of his career in music, he didn’t hold back in voicing his disapproval of Brand.
“You went with my daughter, did you?” he said to Brand, before telling him to “stand up”.
An apparently chastened Brand then told the singer that he “took her out for one evening”, prompting Stewart to ask: “Did you behave yourself?”
Brand backtracked on his original remarks, telling Stewart: “I never touched that girl.”
“F***ing right, you didn’t,” Stewart replied, adding: “You mustn’t come up here and boast. I speak here as a father.”
Russell Brand rowed with Rod Stewart after crude remark about daughter
‘Urgent’ investigations launched after claims of misconduct by Russell Brand
04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The BBC, Channel 4 and a production company have said they are “urgently” investigating after four women made separate allegations of sexual assault while Russell Brand was a presenter on their programmes.
The comedian and actor, 48, has been accused of rape and sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame and working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.
The claims were made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, and include allegations about Brand’s controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.
Brand vehemently denies the allegations and said all of his relationships have been “consensual”, in a video posted online.
The BBC said it is “urgently looking into the issues raised” while Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008, while Channel 4 announced it is conducting “its own internal investigation” following the allegations.
Elon Musk and Andrew Tate come out in support of Russell Brand
04:20 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Elon Musk and Andrew Tate came out in support of Russell Brand after he was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotionally abusing four women.
Responding to a video posted by Brand on X/Twitter in which he claimed that he was being targeted as part of a coordinated attack for his right-wing criticism of the media, Musk wrote: “Of course. They don’t like competition.”
Andrew Tate, a far-right influencer who faces rape and human trafficking charges in Romania, also responded on X. In a post, Tate wrote: “Welcome to the club.”
Brand, in his video, said: “Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”
From the Sachsgate scandal to conspiracy controversies: A timeline of Russell Brand’s life and career
04:01 , Holly Bancroft
Below, you’ll find a timeline of Brand’s career and controversies, from his early days as a comedian through to today.
Russell Brand career timeline, from controversy to conspiracy theories
Channel 4 removes all programmes linked to Brand
03:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Channel 4 has removed all programmes linked to Russell Brand from its website after the explosive allegations surfaced.
The Telegraph reported that Netflix has also been under pressure to remove all programmes linked to him.
On Sunday, Channel 4 confirmed that episodes of The Great British Bake Off and Big Brother’s Big Mouth box sets featuring Brand have been dropped from its online platform.
Channel 4’s Dispatches programme was involved in the investigation of the Brand allegations, alongside the Times and Sunday Times.
Brand has denied all wrongdoing.
A channel spokesman said: “We’ve taken down all content featuring Russell Brand while we look into the matter. This includes episodes of the Great British Bake Off and the Big Brother box sets that he appeared on.”
Icymi: Russell Brand comments on Dispatches investigation during live show
03:08 , Holly Bancroft
Russell Brand told audience members there were things he could not discuss as he performed a comedy gig to thousands of people hours after allegations of rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour against him were published.
Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. He denies all allegations.
The 48-year-old arrived late to his show, Bipolarisation, at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London on Saturday evening.
Russell Brand plays show to thousands in London despite sexual assault claims
Icymi: Women’s charity cuts ties with Russell Brand after allegations of rape and abuse
02:05 , Holly Bancroft
A charity that aims to end violence against women has cut ties with supporter Russell Brand after he was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse during a seven-year period at the height of his fame.
Four women have alleged sexual assaults occurred between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was working for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 as well as starring in Hollywood films.
The 48-year-old actor and comedian is also facing claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.
Brand vehemently denies the allegations and, in a video posted online, stated all of his relationships have been “consensual”, before accusing the media of a “co-ordinated attack”.
Read more here:
Women’s charity cuts ties with Russell Brand after allegations of rape and abuse
Daniel Sloss routine about men and sexual assault resurfaces after Russell Brand documentary
01:06 , Holly Bancroft
A routine by stand-up comic Daniel Sloss has resurfaced after he was the “only comedian” to go on the record and speak about Russell Brand.
On Saturday (16 September), actor Brand was accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. The allegations were made in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.
Read more here
Daniel Sloss routine about sexual assault resurfaces after Russell Brand documentary
Russell Brand’s former PA recalls he was ‘always in his underwear’ around her
Monday 18 September 2023 00:09 , Holly Bancroft
Russell Brand‘s former personal assistant has claimed that he “always only wore his underwear” around her.
Helen Berger, who worked for the comedian in 2006, told Channel 4‘s Dispatches that Brand’s “favourite subject was him.”
Russell Brand’s former PA recalls he was ‘always in his underwear’ around her
Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry over text 14 months after lavish wedding
Sunday 17 September 2023 23:03 , Holly Bancroft
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.
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.
“He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him,” Perry told Vogue in 2013. “Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.”
Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry with a text message
Resurfaced footage shows moment Katy Perry found out Russell Brand dumped her
Sunday 17 September 2023 22:56 , Holly Bancroft
Why I’m not surprised by the Russell Brand allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 22:00 , Holly Evans
“Unless you’ve been living under a rock, by now you’ll have heard about the latest “bombshell” MeToo revelations targeting none other than self-confessed former “lothario” and sex addict Russell Brand.
You’ll likely have watched them, too: Channel 4 Dispatches released their “special investigation” containing a whole host of damning allegations about Brand on Saturday night, as part of a joint investigation with the Sunday Times.
It included allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse. Brand denies the accusations. For serious allegations to come out about a well-known male comedian – it’s big. It’s shocking. But surprising? Not so much.
Read more from Victoria Richards here
Russell Brand: Why I’m not surprised | Victoria Richards
Russell Brand’s explosive row with Rod Stewart over daughter Kimberley resurfaces amid rape allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 21:00 , Holly Evans
Years before disturbing allegations emerged against Russell Brand, the comedian became embroiled in a high-profile row with legendary musician Rod Stewart.
At the GQ Man of the Year Awards in 2006, Brand incurred the ire of Stewart, 78, after making a crude remark about the singer’s daughter Kimberley.
Russell Brand rowed with Rod Stewart after crude remark about daughter
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones says Russell Brand is being accused of rape because he’s ‘fighting globalists’
Sunday 17 September 2023 20:37 , Holly Bancroft
Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones defended Russell Brand from rape and sexual assault allegations — by saying the comedian is being targeted because he’s “come out against globalists”.
Jones said he’s been friends with Brand for six years in a video recorded at an airport and circulated on social media on Sunday, a day after stunning allegations emerged against Brand.
“I’ve never seen women throw themselves at anyone like with him,” Jones said, comparing women throwing their “panties” at Elvis.
“It’s like that,” he said, adding that it was “literally women jumping at us.”
“No one ever accused him, for the last 15 years, of assault because they say he’s such a big sweetheart.”
Jones claimed - without any evidence - that “suddenly allegations are happening” to Brand because he has “come out against Big Pharma” and “the globalists”.
Read the full story here:
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones defends Russell Brand from rape claims
Woman who claims she was raped by Brand sent him a letter after alleged attack
Sunday 17 September 2023 20:02 , Holly Bancroft
The woman who claims she was raped by Russell Brand sent him a letter after her alleged attack, according to a new report in The Times.
In an extract, shared in the newspaper, she wrote: “I’m completely disgusted in the way you treated me. Sad that I trusted you. Very angry with you and myself for getting sucked into your narcissistic world. Do you know what you put me through? My body through?”
She continued: “Why didn’t you stop when I asked you to?.. You completely broke me down. I was having fun hanging out with you, but you mistook that trust and turned it into something so ugly. No means no.”
Following the alleged assault, the woman went with a friend to UCLA Santa Monic Medical Centre’s Rape Treatment Center where she says she provided her underwear and other samples as evidence.
Russell Brand has denied that any sexual relations he has had with women were nonconsensual.
‘It’s time’: Woman who accuses Brand of rape says she is strong enough to talk now
Sunday 17 September 2023 18:59 , Holly Bancroft
A woman, who has alleged that she was raped by Russell Brand at his home in Los Angeles, told The Times she has come forward because: “I’m stronger now, to talk about it.”
The woman said at the time of the alleged attack in 2012 she didn’t feel she could publicly challenge him. She told the paper: “Whereas at the time, I was so depleted of everything that I thought I was worth nothing. And that is not true. I am a stronger woman because of it.”
Brand has denied all the allegations against him and said that all his past relationships were consensual.
Dannii Minogue labelled Brand a ‘vile predator’ in resurfaced interview
Sunday 17 September 2023 18:25 , Holly Evans
Australian singer Dannii Minogue once called Russell Brand as a “vile predator” following an appearance on his MTV chatshow, 1 Leicester Square back in 2006.
“He is completely crazy and a bit of a vile predator,” she said. “I certainly don’t think he has cured his sex addiction, that’s for sure. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. [...] He always goes that step too far. Never quite far enough to slap his face, but usually too far.
“He’s obviously very intelligent - but he wears more make-up than I do. Normally I love guys with eyeliner on. It can be very sexy, but not on Russell. Absolutely no way, never, he’s just not my type.”
She continued: “I was told he got sacked from MTV in the past for wearing an Osama bin Laden costume to work the day after September 11. I couldn’t believe that I’d just agreed to be interviewed by someone who would do something like that, it really unnerved me. And then throughout the whole interview, he kept making shocking remarks that I can’t even repeat. Just uttering the words would make me blush.”
Katy Perry revealed Brand was ‘very controlling’ during 2013 interview
Sunday 17 September 2023 18:21 , Holly Evans
“He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him,” Perry told Vogue in 2013. “Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.”
She added that had found Brand’s humour “hysterical in some ways”, until “he started making jokes about me and he didn’t know I was in the audience, because I had come to surprise him at one of his shows”.
“At first when I met him he wanted an equal, and I think a lot of times strong men do want an equal, but then they get that equal and they’re like, I can’t handle the equalness,” she continued. “He didn’t like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour. So that was really hurtful, and it was very controlling, which was upsetting.
“I felt a lot of responsibility for it ending, but then I found out the real truth, which I can’t necessarily disclose because I keep it locked in my safe for a rainy day. I let go and I was like: This isn’t because of me; this is beyond me. So I have moved on from that.”
Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh reacts to ‘shocking’ Russell Brand allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 18:00 , Holly Evans
Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh reacts to ‘shocking’ Russell Brand allegations
Russell Brand: In Plain Sight review – Dispatches film adds new, sinister dimensions to already harrowing claims
Sunday 17 September 2023 17:34 , Holly Evans
“Don’t be afraid of your own sexuality,” Russell Brand says in a chat show clip dating back to the height of his fame in the mid-Noughties. The comedian, his hair backcombed into his then-signature birds’ nest, takes a pause, before adding a caveat in a slightly more hushed register. “Do be a bit afraid of mine though.”
It’s just one of many such scenes, painstakingly unearthed by the producers of Dispatches’ Russell Brand: In Plain Sight, which have acquired a sinister layer of meaning in the wake of disturbing allegations levelled against the 48-year-old, in Channel 4’s documentary and an investigation by The Sunday Times and The Times.
Read the full review here
Russell Brand: In Plain Sight adds new, sinister layers to already harrowing claims
Russell Brand tells show audience members ‘there are things he cannot discuss’
Sunday 17 September 2023 17:00 , Holly Evans
Russell Brand told audience members there were things he could not discuss as he performed a comedy gig to thousands of people hours after allegations of rape, sexual assault and coercive behaviour against him were published.
Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame, in a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches. He denies all allegations.
The 48-year-old arrived late to his show, Bipolarisation, at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London on Saturday evening.
Read more here
Russell Brand plays show to thousands in London despite sexual assault claims
Channel 4 conducting internal investigation
Sunday 17 September 2023 16:57 , Holly Evans
Channel 4 has said it is conducting its own internal investigation following allegations about Russell Brand.
In a statement, the broadcaster said: “We have asked the production company who produced the programmes for Channel 4 to investigate these allegations and report their findings properly and satisfactorily to us.“
“Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation, and we would encourage anyone who is aware of such behaviour to contact us directly.”
The statement added: “We will be writing to all our current suppliers reminding them of their responsibilities under our Code of Conduct, as we are committed to ensuring our industry has safe, inclusive and professional working environments.”
Met Police to speak to Sunday Times and Channel 4 about Brand allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 16:50 , Holly Evans
The Metropolitan Police has said it will speak to the Sunday Times and Channel 4 after their investigation about Russell Brand.
The force said in a statement: “We are aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault. At this time, we have not received any reports in relation to this.
“If anyone believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, we would encourage them to contact police.
“We spoke with the Sunday Times on Saturday, September 16. We will be making further approaches to the Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that any victims of crime who they have spoken with are aware of how they may report any criminal allegations to police.”
BBC ‘urgently looking’ into allegations made about former presenter
Sunday 17 September 2023 16:06 , Holly Evans
A BBC spokesperson said: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years. Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised.”
Amnesty International encourages women to come forward
Sunday 17 September 2023 16:05 , Holly Evans
In a statement, Amnesty International said it found the allegations “shocking and distressing” and that it did not have a relationship with the comedian. Brand took part in the charity’s Secret Policeman’s Ball event in 2012 and 2006.
The charity said that while “no complaints or concerns” were raised at the time of the events in relation to his conduct, it was “very aware of the barriers women face in raising complaints of sexual assault, and would encourage any women to let us know if there is anything that they experienced at that time that is of concern”.
Production company launches inquiry over allegations Russell Brand ‘used staff as pimps’
Sunday 17 September 2023 15:43 , Holly Evans
The production company behind a TV show fronted by Russell Brand has launched an urgent investigation after staff claimed they were made feel like “pimps” for the comedian.
The probe by Banijay UK comes after the former presenter and actor was accused of rape, sexual assault and the emotional abuse of four women during the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013.
The 48-year-old has vehemently denied the “very serious criminal allegations” uncovered in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme.
Read the full story here
Production company launches inquiry over claims Russell Brand ‘used staff as pimps’
I’m a female comedian – the Russell Brand allegations are only the start
Sunday 17 September 2023 15:22 , Holly Evans
It felt inevitable, to be honest. Women in comedy were all braced for it. Within minutes of the Russell Brand allegations being made public – allegations Brand has denied in no uncertain terms – people swept in to criticise everyone who was aware of the rumours around him and “did nothing”.
Responsibility was placed on us, those who were quietly protecting each other but were deemed to have not taken enough action to prevent this kind of alleged behaviour.
And my God, we are so tired.
Comedian Vix Leyton has more
I’m a female comedian – the Russell Brand allegations are only the start | Vix Leyton
Senior MPs call for BBC and Channel 4 investigations
Sunday 17 September 2023 15:13 , Holly Evans
The former Tory justice secretary Robert Buckland has called for the BBC and Channel 4 to investigate allegations about Mr Brand’s behaviour.
“They should look back [if any red flags were raised]. BBC and Channel 4 will have to ask themselves questions, and look at whether a culture of alleged behaviour was allowed to continue,” he told The Independent.
The senior Tory added: “It has to be handled properly, because you can’t ignore it. The BBC cannot be seen to be indecisive on something as serious as this alleged behaviour.”
Rosie Duffield, the Labour MP for Canterbury, also said the BBC and Channel 4 should now investigate exactly what they knew about Mr Brand.
“The BBC and Channel 4 certainly have questions to answer,” she said. The senior backbencher told The Independent that it was also a “good idea” for the culture select committee to probe TV execs about whether any red flags were raised.
Damian Collins, former culture minister and ex-culture committee chair, said the allegations against Mr Brand about his time at BBC Radio and Channel 4 programmes should be “investigated fully”.
“UK broadcasters who have previously worked with Russell Brand should also be clear about whether they have ever received any similar allegations of personal misconduct that were made against him and if so how they were investigated and the action taken,” he told The Telegraph.
Bannijay UK launches urgent internal investigation
Sunday 17 September 2023 14:00 , Holly Evans
A spokesperson for production company Bannijay UK, which bought Endomol in 2020, told The Sun: “In light of the very serious allegations ... relating to the alleged serious misconduct of Russell Brand produced by Endomol between 2004 and 2005 Bannijay UK has launched an urgent internal investigation.
“We also ask anyone who feels that they were affected by Brand’s behaviour while working on these productions to contact us in confidence.”
Endomol was the company producing Brand’s show Big Brother’s Big Forum on behalf of Channel 4 during the mid-2000s.
Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 13:41 , Holly Evans
Russell Brand has been dropped by his agent Tavistock Wood after being accused of rape and sexual assault by four women.
In a joint investigation released by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 on Saturday (16 September), the comedian and actor has been accused of sexually assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013. Others have accused Brand of predatory and abusive behaviour.
Brand has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that his prior relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.
Read more here
Russell Brand dropped by agent following sexual assault allegations
Rhian Sugden claims ex Russell Brand joined No More Page 3 campaign after ‘getting declined’ by models
Sunday 17 September 2023 13:30 , Holly Evans
Former Page 3 model Rhian Sugden has spoken out about her brief relationship with Russell Brand, after the comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.
The allegations against Brand were made by four women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches. They date back to the height of the British presenter’s fame, between 2006 and 2013.
Brand, 48, has strongly denied all the “very serious allegations” against him, insisting that his past relationships have been “absolutely always consensual”.
Rhian Sugden claims Brand joined No More Page 3 fight after models turned him down
Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry over text 14 months after lavish wedding
Sunday 17 September 2023 12:30 , Holly Evans
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.
Read more here
Russell Brand ended marriage to Katy Perry with a text message
What are the allegations against Russell Brand?
Sunday 17 September 2023 12:00 , Holly Evans
Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women in an investigation that sheds light on the comedian’s behaviour during the height of his fame.
The comedian and media personality has denied all the “very serious allegations” aimed at him, which date back to between 2006 and 2013.
Brand performed to a 2,000-strong crowd on Saturday night in Wembley Park Theatre – but did not directly address the allegations made as part of an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme.
Here is a full timeline of the allegations against him:
What are the allegations against Russell Brand?
Brand told audience he ‘absolutely cannot talk’ about allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 11:29 , Holly Evans
During a performance of his stand-up comedy show last night, Brand told the audience “I appreciate you” after arriving 45 minutes late.
The comedian performed at Wembley Park Theatre while the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary was being aired.
After asking the audience not to film, he said: “I really appreciate your support, I love you, I want to do a fantastic show for you.
“I’ve got a lot of things to talk to you about. There are obviously some things that I absolutely cannot talk about and I appreciate that you will understand.
“I love you lot already. I’m going to give you everything I’ve got, let’s go.”
‘I want to see your mascara run’: Woman claims Russell Brand sexually assaulted her at 16
Sunday 17 September 2023 10:58 , Holly Evans
‘I want to see your mascara run’: Woman claims Russell Brand assaulted her at 16
‘Wider questions’ for TV industry after Russell Brand rape allegation, says Tory minister
Sunday 17 September 2023 10:38 , Holly Evans
Cabinet minister James Cleverly said there are questions for the TV industry to answer after Russell Brand faced allegations of rape and sexual assault, which the comedian vehemently denies.
Four women have alleged sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013, when Mr Brand was working for the BBC Radio and Channel 4.
Mr Cleverly told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he thought “sadly” there were wider questions to answer for the entertainment industry in the wake of the claims.
Adam Forrest has more
‘Wider questions’ for TV industry after Russell Brand allegations, says Tory minister
Women's violence charity cuts ties with Brand
Sunday 17 September 2023 10:21 , Holly Evans
A charity supporting women and mothers struggling with substance abuse and addiction have cut ties with comedian Russell Brand.
Trevi Women said they were “deeply saddened” by the allegations and had ended their association with Brand and his Stay Free Foundation.
In a full statement, they said: “We are deeply saddened and upset by the stories reported on this evening’s Channel 4 Dispatches programme regarding Russell Brand.
“Russell became aware of our charity in 2022 after hearing about some of the incredible mothers we have helped to become drug-free over the years. He wanted to support our cause and raise money through his Stay Free Foundation.
“Today’s media revelations have been difficult to process but our priority remains and continues to be the safety and well-being of all women and girls now and in the future. We have ended our association with Russell Brand and the Stay Free Foundation.
“As a charity whose values put women’s voices at the heart of what we do, we always prioritise supporting women affected by violence and abuse and empower them to live without violence and fear. We understand that for some women, today’s media content could be triggering, and for those who may need support, please contact The Survivor Pathway.”
Cleverly suggests wider questions for entertainment industry after Brand allegations
Sunday 17 September 2023 10:09 , Holly Evans
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has suggested there are wider questions for the entertainment industry to answer after Russell Brand faced allegations about his conduct, which the comedian and actor vehemently denies.
Mr Cleverly told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I think there are some real challenges where you have these very, very acute differentials in power, whether that be in the entertainment industry, whether that be in politics and we see this in the commercial world as well.
“I think we have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless because we, I think, collectively have missed opportunities to do the right thing and intervene much, much earlier, and we’ve got to be better at this.”
Pressed on whether there are questions for the industry, Mr Cleverly replied: “Sadly, I think there are.”
Foreign secretary warns of ‘very significant power differentials’
Sunday 17 September 2023 09:54 , Holly Evans
James Cleverly has spoken of the dangers of “sharp differentials in power” after Russell Brand was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.
The Foreign Secretary did not comment specifically on the allegations, which Brand denies.
He told the Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme on Sky News that he believed there was a “particular problem, where you have environments where there are very, very sharp differentials in power”.
He said: “We see that in the film industry, the entertainment industry and sadly, of course, we sit in the area that I work in terms of politics, where you have very, very significant power differentials, long working hours, people in that environment.
“Now, that is absolutely no excuse for individual misconduct and people have to take responsibility for their own conduct.
“In those environments, I think institutionally we need to be particularly vigilant. We need to make sure that we are going out of our way to protect the people that have less power than those around them. We need to respond to their concerns very, very quickly when they are highlighted.”
Police urge ‘victims’ to come forward after Russell Brand accused of rape and sexual assault
Sunday 17 September 2023 09:26 , Holly Evans
Police have encouraged any potential victims to come forward after comedian Russell Brand was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotionally abusing four women.
Scotland Yard said it was “aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault”, after the allegations unearthed in a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches were published on Saturday.
Read more here
Police urge ‘victims’ to come forward after Russell Brand accused of rape
