UK Politicians Call for Investigation into Russell Brand’s Sexual Assault Allegations
Senior British politicians are urging police to investigate allegations of sexual assault made against comedian Russell Brand. The accusations were
Nik Richie
Senior British politicians are urging police to investigate allegations of sexual assault made against comedian Russell Brand. The accusations were brought to light in a Channel 4 television documentary and reports by The Times and Sunday Times. Four women, including one who says she was sexually assaulted at 16 during a relationship with Brand and another who alleges rape in Los Angeles in 2012, have come forward.
Brand, 48, vehemently denies all the claims and has stated that his relationships were “always consensual.”
The Times reported on Monday that more women have contacted the newspaper with allegations against Brand, and these claims will be thoroughly examined.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson, Max Blain, expressed deep concern over the allegations, emphasizing that they are “very serious” and warrant serious and sensitive treatment.
Caroline Nokes, chair of the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, called for criminal investigations in both the UK and the United States. She underscored the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
The London Metropolitan Police will collaborate with the Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that any victims of crime they have spoken to are aware of how to report criminal allegations.
These allegations have reignited discussions about “lad culture” that thrived in Britain in the 1990s and early 2000s and the lingering misogyny present on the internet.
The reported allegations span from 2006 to 2013 when Brand was a prominent figure in the UK and gaining recognition in the United States. Brand was known for his candid and risqué stand-up comedy, hosted radio and television shows, authored memoirs detailing his struggles with substance abuse, appeared in Hollywood films, and had a brief marriage to pop star Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012.
Brand faced suspension from the BBC in 2008 for making inappropriate prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs and boasting about having sexual relations with Sachs’ granddaughter. The incident resulted in Brand’s departure from his radio show amidst public backlash and thousands of complaints.
The BBC, Channel 4, and the production company responsible for the “Big Brother” reality series, which Brand hosted spinoffs of, have all initiated investigations into Brand’s behavior and how complaints were handled.