The Metropolitan Police has announced that it will launch an investigation into recent allegations of “non-recent” sexual offences following media reports implicating comedian Russell Brand.
The force revealed it had received multiple reports of sexual offences occurring in London and other parts of the country, although no arrests have been made thus far. These developments stem from a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches, which featured accusations of sexual assaults and rape by four women against Brand. The comedian vehemently denies these claims.
Before the allegations surfaced, Russell Brand had stated that all his relationships had been consensual. However, the recent media investigation prompted the Metropolitan Police to take action. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Command, encouraged anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, regardless of when it occurred, to come forward. He assured potential victims that specialized officers are available to provide support and guidance.
These fresh allegations emerged following a report received by the Met last week concerning an alleged sexual assault in Soho, central London, dating back to 2003.
The investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 disclosed accusations against Russell Brand spanning from 2006 to 2013:
1. One woman alleges that Brand raped her without protection against a wall in his Los Angeles residence. She claims Brand tried to prevent her from leaving until she mentioned going to the bathroom. She reportedly sought assistance at a rape crisis center on the same day, corroborated by medical records.
2. Another woman in the UK alleges that Brand assaulted her when she was 16 and he was in his early 30s. She describes an emotionally abusive and controlling relationship, asserting that Brand referred to her as “the child” during this time.
3. A third woman claims that Brand sexually assaulted her while they were working together in Los Angeles. She alleges that she repeatedly asked him to stop, and when he eventually did, he became “super angry” and threatened legal action if she disclosed the incident to others.
4. The fourth woman has alleged sexual assault by Brand in the UK and has accused him of being physically and emotionally abusive towards her.
Following the announcement from the Metropolitan Police, Russell Brand addressed the situation in a livestream on the video platform Rumble. He expressed the difficulty of remaining objective given recent events but did not directly address the police statement or the allegations against him. Instead, he criticized mainstream media and highlighted what he perceived as efforts to silence independent voices.
The investigation and ensuing legal proceedings will continue to unfold as authorities probe the allegations against Russell Brand, who maintains his innocence.
-BBC-
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