Russell Brand faces new allegation as Met speak to ‘sexual assault victim’
Russell Brand is facing a new allegation of sexual assault after the Met Police received a report about an incident in 2003.
This comes after The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches launched an investigation into the 48-year-old comedian, accusing him of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013.
Police have now said they have received a report of a suspected sexual assault in Soho and are in contact with the woman.
A Met spokesman said: “We are aware of reports from the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches about allegations of sexual offenses.
“On Sunday 17 September, the Met received a report of a sexual assault said to have occurred in Soho, central London, in 2003. Officers are in contact with the woman and will support her.
“We first spoke to the Sunday Times on Saturday September 16 and have since taken further steps with the Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual offense knows How to report this to the police.”
Police added that they continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offense to get in touch.
Brand has vehemently denied the allegations, saying in a video posted to his social media and YouTube channel that his relationships have “absolutely always been consensual.”
According to the Times, more women have come forward with allegations about Brand’s sexual behavior as the BBC and Channel 4 launch urgent investigations into the former presenter.
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One of his accusers told BBC Women’s Hour today that during her three-month relationship with the comedian in 2006, she was picked up from school in a car arranged by the broadcaster.
The relationship took place when she was reportedly 16, while Brand was 30 and 31 and was already a household name.
Downing Street described the allegations as “very serious and worrying”, while the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee said a “full investigation” may be launched into the culture of “open secrets” in the television industry.
Current allegations include that Brand raped a woman at his Los Angeles home, sexually assaulted another woman and made his colleagues feel like “pimps” working on his behalf.
Known as Alice, a woman who claims to have started a relationship with Brand when she was 16, said her alleged experience with Brand made her feel “dirty” and “cheap.”
She said she revealed her age to Brand before their first date, adding: “He just replied, ‘Okay, so we’re still there for dinner at 7.30pm?’
Further information will follow