BBC apologises over Brand

Probe finds multiple people felt unable to raise’ concerns

- ANDY GREGORY LYDIA SPENCER-ELLIOTT

The BBC has apologised to staff as part of a review into the conduct of Russell Brand during his time with the broadcaster.

The internal review was ordered after a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches revealed in September 2023 that four women had accused him of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013.

The actor and comedian, 49, denies the accusations, and previously said all his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”. He told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a YouTube interview that the claims were “very, very hurtful”.

Published yesterday, the BBC investigation found that a number of people “felt unable to raise” concerns about the presenter and believed “Russell Brand would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent”.

Brand worked for the BBC between 2006 to 2008, when he hosted a show on Radio 2 alongside Jonathan Ross until both presenters were suspended over the Andrew Sachs voicemail row. The comedian subsequently resigned, while Ross later returned to presenting BBC TV and radio shows.

The BBC’s complaints director Peter Johnston said he had investigated eight complaints about Brand. Just two were raised while the comedian worked at the BBC, with only one of those lodged formally.

Mr Johnston said he and his team approached 72 people and interviewed 39 as part of their review, and “have spoken directly to all of those who raised concerns” about Brand’s behaviour.

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.