Russell Brand has been charged with r*pe, indecent assault and sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police. It has come to light that the comedian and TV host is saying he is “incredibly grateful” to be able to defend the charges in court via Deadline.
The police stated this afternoon that Brand has been charged with one count of r*pe, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral r*pe and two counts of sexual assault as detectives started investigating 18 months back.
The investigation was sparked after allegations reported by Channel 4 and the Sunday Times. The charges relate to four separate women. It is alleged that Brand r*ped a woman in Bournemouth in 1999; indecently assaulted a woman in 2001 in Westminster, London; orally r*ped and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster in 2004; and between 2004 and 2005 sexually assaulted a woman, also in Westminster.
A statement Friday stated that the police had “issued a charge and requisition” to the 50-year-old, whose residence was listed as Oxfordshire, South England.
“The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers,” said DS Andy Furphy.
“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk.”
Brand is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2nd.
He has been working and living in the U.S. full time of late, saying recently on his Rumble platform:
“I don’t live in the United Kingdom any more because I personally have experienced how the media, government and judiciary — if you suddenly become an inconvenience — will find ways to attack and shut you down.”
Brand could now be detained by U.S. police under an international arrest warrant and The Home Office would have to submit a formal extradition request to Washington on behalf of the CPS to seek his return to Britain to stand trial.
Responding on X, Brand said he was “never a ra*ist.” “I have never engaged in non-consensual activity, I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes,” he added.
“I am now of course going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I am incredibly grateful for that.”
The revelations on Channel 4 and in the Sunday Times led to much anger and introspection. The BBC, Channel 4 and Big Brother producer Banijay have all led internal probes, having worked with Brand on shows up until late last decade. All these probes have led to apologies and further revelations. The most recent report from the BBC found that staff at the UK broadcaster’s L.A. bureau had “joked about” an incident in which the star was alleged to have exposed himself to a woman in a bathroom.
