A BBC review into the conduct of Russell Brand during his time with the broadcaster has found people were too scared to raise concerns about the presenter because they believed he ‘would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent’.
The actor and comedian, 49, denies the accusations, and previously said all his sexual relationships were ‘absolutely always consensual’.
In September 2023, a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed four women had accused him of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013.
Since then, the Met has launched an investigation into complaints received against the star, first interviewing Brand under caution on November 16, 2023.
The Peter Johnston review said on Thursday he investigated eight complaints about Brand, with only one of those formally made to the BBC.
He said: ‘I am grateful to those who have come forward to talk to me and my team and I have apologised on behalf of the BBC to those most directly affected by what I have documented here.
‘The culture of the time undoubtedly influenced what was acceptable/tolerated, but I have found that a number of individuals had concerns about Russell Brand’s behaviour which they felt unable to raise then.
A BBC review into the conduct of Russell Brand (pictured) during his time with the broadcaster has found people were too scared to raise concerns about the presenter because they believed he ‘would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent’
The former broadcaster, 49, is pictured leaving Wembley Park Theatre in November
‘Many interviewees believed, rightly or wrongly, that Russell Brand would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent (and I note here my finding above that the one complaint that was made in 2007 was not dealt with effectively when it was made).
‘The processes for raising any concerns were also not as developed as they are now.
‘In the intervening years the BBC has introduced other mechanisms and routes for staff to raise concerns.’
Brand has been accused of a string of sex offences including sexual assault and rape by the women, some of whom were teenagers at the time of the alleged incidents.
In response to the review into Russell Brand, the BBC said: ‘When allegations were raised about Russell Brand in 2023, relating to his work at the BBC, it was important that this was looked into methodically.
‘This work has been conducted with the greatest care. We want to thank the individuals who have participated, as we know that it has not been easy to speak out about some of the issues the review addresses.
‘The review considered eight complaints of misconduct about Russell Brand, only two of which were made while he was engaged by the BBC, one formally and one informally.
‘It is of great concern that some of these individuals felt unable to raise concerns about Russell Brand’s behaviour at the time, and the BBC has apologised to them as part of this review.
‘It is also clear that there were compliance inadequacies on some of Russell Brand’s Radio 2 shows which led to content being aired that would not be broadcast today. Russell Brand left the BBC in 2008 following a high-profile editorial breach.
‘As has been reported, there is an ongoing police investigation into Russell Brand. The BBC has been in contact with the Metropolitan Police throughout the review and they have seen the report.
‘The BBC acknowledges that Russell Brand categorically denies all public allegations made against him.’
The broadcaster also said it was ‘clear presenters have been able to abuse their positions at the BBC in the past’ and that a number of steps had been introduced since 2008 to deal with serious allegations.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
