Following the allegations made against Brand on 16 September 2023, a BBC spokesperson has responded on behalf of the organisation: “Russell Brand worked for a number of different organisations, of which the BBC was one. As is well known, Russell Brand left the BBC after a serious editorial breach in 2008 – as did the then controller of Radio 2. The circumstances of the breach were reviewed in detail at the time. We hope that demonstrates that the BBC takes issues seriously and is prepared to act.
“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 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. We will always listen to people if they come forward with any concerns, on any issue related to any individual working at the BBC, past or present.”
2014: Starts YouTube channel
Brand has been broadcasting on YouTube ever since 2014, starting with his series, The Trews: True News with Russell Brand. His channel became increasingly prolific and engaged with right-wing politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, amassing 14.5 million subscribers in March 2022.
Russell moved his channel to video broadcasting platform Rumble in September 2022, after YouTube took down one of his videos on the grounds of “medical misinformation”.
September 2023: Sexual assault allegations come out
At time of writing, the Met Police has reported that a “number of allegations of sexual offences” have been issued against Russell Brand, joining the initial five alleged victims interviewed as part of Channel 4’s Dispatches documentary.
Mike Marsland
Brand has responded to the allegations on his YouTube channel, saying: “Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute,” he said. “The relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual.”
YouTube has demonetised Brand’s channel, whereas various brands have suspended their advertising from his channel on Rumble.
There have been no arrests and enquiries into Brand’s conduct are ongoing.