Russell Brand charged with sexual offences
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge comedian and actor, Russell Brand with multiple sexual offences.
The charges include rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault relating to allegations made by four women between 1999 and 2005.
Brand is due to appear in Court in May 2025 following a nine-month police investigation that began after allegations were first brought to public attention on a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
One count relates to an alleged rape in the Bournemouth area in 1999. Another concerns an alleged indecent assault in Westminster in 2001. Further charges include one count of oral rape and one count of sexual assault in Westminster in 2004, along with an additional count of sexual assault in Westminster between 2004 and 2005.
The allegations against Brand span a period when he was at the height of his fame, working for the BBC and Channel 4 while also starring in Hollywood films. In recent years, Brand has pivoted to a political commentator and podcast host.
In a video posted on Instagram following the announcement, Brand denied the allegations, stating he had “never engaged in non-consensual activity” and was “grateful” for the opportunity to defend himself in court.
These developments have renewed scrutiny of how media institutions handled complaints about Brand’s behaviour during his time working for major broadcasters.
Previous investigations revealed the BBC received multiple complaints about Brand between 2006 and 2008 but failed to maintain proper records. Channel 4 similarly failed to escalate a serious allegation to senior management despite concerns being raised informally about Brand’s conduct.
An internal investigation by the production company responsible for some of Brand’s Channel 4 shows found concerns about his behaviour were “not properly escalated or adequately addressed”.
The BBC’s own review, published in January 2025, acknowledged staff felt unable to raise concerns about Brand during his tenure, further highlighting a culture of silence around high-profile figures.
These institutional failures have raised difficult questions about whether inadequate safeguarding measures allowed problematic behaviour to continue unchecked. The parallels with other recent cases, such as that of DJ Tim Westwood, where the BBC admitted being “too deferential to high-profile individuals” suggest a systemic issue within the industry.
Regardless of the perpetrator’s status and time passed, the ongoing Brand case shows abuse should never be tolerated. As well as obtaining justice through the criminal process, survivors can be compensated through the civil process for the harm caused to them by the abuse.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is committed to supporting survivors of abuse in obtaining the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been affected by sexual violence, we offer free, confidential advice to help you understand your options.
