Russell Brand: BBC ‘urgently looking into’ rape, sexual assault allegations against comedian

Britain’s BBC said on Sunday it was “urgently investigating the issues” raised by sexual assault allegations made against the channel’s former employee, British comedian and actor Russell Brand, who denies the accusations.

Brand, 48, the former husband of American singer Katy Perry, worked on BBC radio programs between 2006 and 2008.

He denied unspecified “very serious criminal allegations” on Saturday hours before accusations of sexual assault, including rape, were published online by the Sunday Times newspaper and then broadcast on Channel 4 television.

The Times and documentary show Dispatches reported that the alleged incidents took place between 2006 and 2013 and said one woman filed a rape complaint, while another said Brand assaulted her while she was 16 and still in school.

Two of the accusers reported that the incidents occurred in Los Angeles, according to the newspaper.

A BBC spokesperson said in a statement: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations spanning several years. Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programs between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently investigating the issues raised.

The charity Trevi, which helps women affected by violence and abuse, said it had ended its association with Brand, and Tavistock Wood, a talent agency, said in a statement it had “ended all ties professionals with Brand”.

“Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegations made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him,” the statement said.

London’s Metropolitan Police said it had not received any reports regarding the allegations.

“If anyone believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault, no matter how long ago it happened, we encourage them to contact the police,” police said in a statement.