“We have clear expectations around conduct at work, these are set out in employment contracts, the BBC Values, the BBC code of conduct and the anti-bullying and harassment policy. “Indeed, the BBC has, over successive years, evolved its approach to how it manages talent and how it deals with complaints or issues raised. We hope that demonstrates that the BBC takes issues seriously and is prepared to act. “The circumstances of the breach were reviewed in detail at the time. As is well known, Russell Brand left the BBC after a serious editorial breach in 2008 – as did the then controller of Radio 2. We will continue to review this in light of any further information we receive, including the accounts of those affected individuals.”Ī BBC spokesperson said: “Russell Brand worked for a number of different organisations, of which the BBC was one. We have carried out extensive document searches and have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4. The firm’s spokesperson said: “We are determined to understand the full nature of what went on. Photograph: James Manning/PAĬhannel 4 said it was “appalled to learn of these deeply troubling allegations, including behaviour alleged to have taken place on programmes made for Channel 4 between 20”. Russell Brand arrives at the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre on Saturday evening. I was in disbelief,” she told the paper.ĭispatches featured an interview Brand did on his BBC show with Jimmy Savile, who was posthumously exposed as a serial sexual abuser, where the pair discussed the possibility of Brand’s female assistant turning up naked to meet the DJ. “The solution that was offered was that we would take the female staff off the crew – women that have worked hard to get into this industry – now can’t work on particular shows because of fear that they might be assaulted or harassed. It also quoted Alice, who went on to work for Channel 4, as saying concerns were raised when it was proposed Brand would host a show. The Sunday Times said sources had said Brand’s attitude towards women became what the paper termed an “open secret in radio and TV production”. Sources also told the investigating journalists that Brand displayed concerning behaviour on several occasions during his time at the BBC, including one incident described as an “alarming display of aggression and disrespect”. The paper said several others had accused Brand of physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment and bullying, adding that those who had come forward did not know each other and had mostly chosen to remain anonymous.Īnother woman tells her story on Channel 4’s ‘Dispatches – Russell Brand: In Plain Sight’. A fourth woman described being “sexually assaulted” by Brand, and him being “physically and emotionally abusive” towards her, the Sunday Times said. The woman, who said she met him at an after party for his Brand X chatshow, told Dispatches she did not report the alleged rape to police due to being scared because of the actor’s fame.Ī third woman said Brand sexually assaulted her while she worked with him in Los Angeles, and that he threatened to take legal action if she told anyone else about her allegation, the paper reported. The paper said she messaged him to say she had been scared by him and felt taken advantage of, adding: “When a girl say NO it means no.” Brand reportedly replied saying he was “very sorry”, the paper reported. She told Dispatches the presenter once “forced his penis down her throat”, making her choke, which led her to punch him in the stomach to make him stop.Īnother woman alleged Brand raped her in 2012 in his Los Angeles home, the Sunday Times reported, adding that she received treatment at a rape crisis centre the same day. She reportedly said he referred to her as “the child” during an alleged emotionally abusive and controlling three-month relationship. It added that it received no answer when the papers asked for the evidence Brand claimed contradicted their reporting.Īccording to the paper’s report, one of the women said Brand entered into a relationship with her while he was 31 and she was still a 16-year-old schoolgirl. It was after being given further opportunity to respond to the allegations that Brand decided to broadcast a statement online on Friday, the Sunday Times said. The Sunday Times said Brand’s lawyers did not reply to further requests for comment. They added that he believed there was a “deeply concerning agenda to all this, namely the fact that he is an alternative media broadcaster competing with mainstream media”. Photograph: Channel 4īrand’s lawyers characterised the way in which the request for comment was made as part of a “pre-conceived strategy aimed at damaging their client”, according to the report. A woman tells of her experience on Channel 4’s ‘Dispatches – Russell Brand: In Plain Sight’.
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