BBC apologises to staff over Russell Brand sex complaints

Russell Brand denies the abuses he has been accused of. Photo / Getty

The BBC has apologised to members of staff after an investigation into actor and comedian Russell Brand found some employees felt “unable to raise” concerns about his behaviour, a review released Thursday said.

Brand became known internationally as the former husband of pop star Katy Perry after forging a career as a stand-up comedian with risque routines, often about drugs and sex.

According to the BBC probe, some employees had stayed silent about his behaviour while working at the broadcaster because they believed he “would always get his way”.

The internal inquiry was commissioned after an investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme and The Sunday Times in September 2023 aired claims from several women of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse, which Brand denies.

Following the broadcast police received a number of reports of sexual offences from women in London and elsewhere in the UK.

Brand, 49, has denied the alleged abuses, which are said to have taken place between 2006 and 2013.

BBC apologises to staff who felt unable to complain about its ex-radio presenter Russell Brand as final report published https://t.co/aTHDTjLwq3

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) January 30, 2025

Peter Johnston, BBC director of editorial complaints and reviews, investigated eight complaints about Brand, only one of which was made formally to the BBC.

The review looked at a range of claims against Brand including that he urinated into cups or bottles while in the studio, threw objects, had sex on BBC premises and exposed himself in front of staff and guests.

“I have apologised on behalf of the BBC to those most directly affected,” Johnston said in his report.“The culture of the time undoubtedly influenced what was acceptable/tolerated, but I have found that a number of individuals had concerns about Russell Brand’s behaviour which they felt unable to raise then.

“Many interviewees believed, rightly or wrongly, that Russell Brand would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent,” he added.

The review added that it acknowledged that Brand “categorically denies all public allegations made against him”.

In November 2024, London police said they had passed a file of evidence to state prosecutors to decide whether to bring charges.

According to the BBC a variety of “mechanisms and routes” are now in place for staff to raise any concerns they may have.

- Agence France-Presse