Timeline of sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand
Russell Brand is at the centre of a number of sexual assault allegations from women, as well as claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.
His is at the centre of separate internal investigations by Channel 4 and production company Banijay UK following allegations of serious misconduct, while the BBC said it is “urgently looking into the issues raised”.
The incidents allegedly occurred between 2006 and 2013, and came to light following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.
Brand vehemently denies the allegations and said all of his relationships have been “consensual”, in a video posted online.
Here is a timeline of the allegations made against Brand:
– 2006
A woman claims she was sexually assaulted by Brand during a three-month relationship when she was 16 and still at school in 2006.
The woman described his behaviour towards her as “grooming”, alleging he would provide her with scripts on how to deceive her parents into allowing her to visit him.
– 2007
A woman alleges Brand sexually assaulted her and was physically and emotionally abusive towards her during a six-month relationship.
She made the allegations in a book published in 2014 and told The Sunday Times she stands by her account during its investigation.
– 2012
A woman alleges that Brand raped her at his Los Angeles home on July 1, 2012.
– 2013
A woman claims that Brand sexually assaulted her while she worked with him in Los Angeles and threatened to take legal action if she told anyone of the allegation.
– 2020
The woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by Brand during a three-month relationship when she was 16, contacts his literary agent at the time, who was also the co-founder of talent agency Tavistock Wood.
A statement given to the PA news agency by Tavistock Wood said: “Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him. TW has terminated all professional ties to Brand.”
– 2023
September 15
Brand posts a video posted online saying all of his relationships have been consensual, before accusing the media of a “co-ordinated attack”.
He added: “Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”
September 16
A joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches is published, detailing allegations made against Brand.
A 90-minute Channel 4 Dispatches special titled Russell Brand: In Plain Sight airs, in which the four unidentified women detail their allegations, while other women speak of their experiences of working with Brand on TV sets.
The special sees him accused of pursuing audience members for sex while presenting Big Brother spin-off shows EFourum and Big Brother’s Big Mouth on Channel 4, while other allegations related to when he was a radio presenter for the BBC.
A researcher claims concerns about Brand’s behaviour were reported to production managers at Endemol, the company commissioned by Channel 4 to produce the programmes in 2004 and 2005, but were dismissed.
September 17
Channel 4 announces it is conducting “its own internal investigation” after the allegations about Brand, and encourages “anyone who is aware of such behaviour” to contact them.
Production company Banijay UK, which bought Endemol in 2020, also announces it is launching an “urgent internal investigation” in light of the allegations and similarly encouraging “anybody who feels that they were affected by Brand’s behaviour while working on these productions” to contact them.
The BBC says it is “urgently looking into the issues raised” while Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008, having first appeared on BBC 6 Music in April 2006 before he was moved to Radio 2 that November.
The Metropolitan Police received a complaint of sexual assault, alleged to have taken place in Soho, central London, in 2003.
The Met said in a statement: “On Sunday, 17 September, the Met received a report of a sexual assault which was alleged to have taken place in Soho in central London in 2003. Officers are in contact with the woman and will be providing her with support.
“We first spoke with The Sunday Times on Saturday, 16 September and have since made further approaches to The Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offence is aware of how to report this to the police.
“We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us.”
A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) says they do not have an open investigation into Brand, and another confirms there have been no arrests following two allegations that are said to have happened in the US.
September 18
The Times said it has been contacted by “several women” with claims about Brand since publication of the original allegations.
It said their allegations have not yet been investigated and “will now be rigorously checked”.
September 19
The BBC's director general Tim Davie has announced a review of Russell Brand's career at the corporation in light of several abuse and sexual assault allegations made against the comedian.
September 20
Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon has addressed the allegations levelled at Russell Brand, saying she found the claims "disgusting and saddening".
She spoke as Channel 4 and fellow BBC bosses appear at a TV industry event amid rape and sexual assault allegations being made against the comedian.
Both broadcasters have launched investigations into the comedian and actor’s time at their channels, along with removing content featuring Brand from their platforms.
September 21
A police unit which was set up after Jimmy Savile’s abuse came to light is helping Met officers look into the rape and sexual assault allegations being made against Russell Brand, Scotland Yard said.
A woman alleged Russell Brand exposed his genitals to her and then joked about it on a BBC radio show moments later, in an interview with the broadcaster.
The comedian was recorded laughing with his co-presenter, during the The Russell Brand Show for Radio 2, saying he: "showed his willy to a lady".
September 22
Russell Brand breaks his silence after multiple women alleged he sexually assaulted them.
In a video captioned "so" he said: "Hello there you awakening wonders, obviously, it's been an extraordinary and distressing week and I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that you've been presented with."
He confirmed he would be posting a video on his account on social media site Rumble on Monday.
If you have any information you would like to share with ITV News about this story or any others, please email investigations@itv.com.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.