UK

Russell Brand ‘interviewed under caution’ by Met Police

Russell Brand (Ian West/PA)
Russell Brand (Ian West/PA)

Russell Brand has been interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police over allegations of sexual offences, it has been reported.

In September, the 48-year-old comedian was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

A man, understood to be Brand, was questioned by detectives at a police station in south London on November 16, the Times reported on Sunday.

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Russell Brand has strongly denied accusations made by four women in an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches (Niall Carson/PA)

Scotland Yard said a man had been interviewed but did not confirm his identity.

A statement given to the PA news agency said: “A man in his 40s attended a police station in south London on Thursday November 16 2023.

“He was interviewed under caution by detectives in relation to three non-recent sexual offences. Inquiries continue.”

Following the Channel 4 Dispatches episode, the force encouraged potential victims to come forward amid the sexual assault allegations, which were said to have taken place during the height of Brand’s fame when he was working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.

Brand has strongly denied the allegations, which include claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.

The force said it had since received a “number of allegations of sexual offences in London” as well as elsewhere in the country.

Earlier this month, the BBC said two more complainants had come forward since it launched a review into the behaviour of Brand, who worked on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes from 2006 to 2008.

The broadcaster said a total of five complaints had now been made directly to the BBC, one of which included “allegations of inappropriate conduct in the workplace, including urinating in bottles in a BBC studio”.

Representatives for Brand have been approached for comment.