BBC investigates claim Russell Brand exposed himself to woman in Los Angeles
Incident allegedly happened in 2008 and comedian is understood to have laughed about it on radio show
The BBC is investigating a claim that Russell Brand exposed himself to a woman before laughing about it on his radio show.
The incident allegedly happened in 2008 when the woman was working in the same building as the corporation’s office in Los Angeles, BBC News reported.
Minutes later, the comedian is said to have laughed as his co-presenter Matt Morgan said Brand “showed his willy to a lady”.
The woman was reportedly left “stunned and disgusted” by the encounter.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry to hear of these allegations and we will look into them.
“We are conducting a review to look at allegations of this nature and if the woman who has shared her story is willing to speak to us, we would be very keen to hear from her and anyone else who may have information.
“A key part of the review is to understand what complaints were made at the time, if there was knowledge of Russell Brand’s conduct while he worked on BBC radio, and what was done as a result.
“We will, of course, speak to the bureau team and anyone who was working there in 2008 as part of this.
“Further, the director general has been very clear that some broadcasts from that period were, and are, inexcusable and totally unacceptable, and would never be aired today.”
Brand did not respond to a request for comment by the PA news agency.
He has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013 – when he was at the height of his fame and working for the BBC and Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films – after a joint investigation by the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches. Brand denies the allegations.
Channel 4 has announced an investigation into the presenter’s time at its channels. It also said it has removed all the content featuring Brand while the BBC said it has reviewed content and “made a considered decision to remove some of it, having assessed that it now falls below public expectations”.
Both YouTube, which hosts Brand’s video channel, and podcasting platform Acast, where his Under The Skin podcast appears, have said he would not make money from advertisements on their sites and apps.
The remaining shows of Brand’s Bipolarisation tour have also been postponed, however, rightwing video platform Rumble has said the allegations against Brand have “nothing to do” with its platform.
The video hosting site also said that it stands for “different values” from YouTube and has “devoted ourselves to the vital cause of defending a free internet”.
“We don’t agree with the behaviour of many Rumble creators, but we refuse to penalise them for actions that have nothing to do with our platform,” the statement also read.
Brand’s last video to his platforms denied any criminal allegations and said he has been “promiscuous” but that all his relationships have been “consensual”.
This article was amended on 22 September 2023 to rephrase references to the claim that Russell Brand exposed himself to a woman in LA; an earlier version used the term “flashed”.
How are they investigating? What can they do with any results?
She was so "stunned and disgusted” she didn't it for 15 years even as Brand joked about it on his show.
Blaring headlines of "investigations" into this sort of thing really cheapen the more serious incidents and smacks of keeping the visibility (of the media campaign) up any cost.
...no amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party...So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.
Re: Grayzone - UK Intel links to Brand censorship effort
I think that the fact that Dinenage's husbard was the deputy commader of the British Army's 77th 'Propaganda Brigade', is somewhat telling. I'm sure Billy Bragg and Owen Jones are both deeply shocked and disturbed by this.
I predict Stewart Lee +will+ let himself go. He's always had it in for Brand (nm)
One would imagine, if these lefty/liberal characters had a bare minimum of brain power; that they'd wonder whether it was in their interests to support the undermining of due process, innocent until proven guilty and fair trials, even for, or especially for horrible people accused of horrible crimes?
The lefties and liberals, don't really have much gooing for them, or much real power anymore in society, so those precious laws and conventions are incredibly valuable for their own protection and the legal principles involved really mean something, more for the left than others.
But, one has the feeling the 'left' have lost their minds about a lot of stuff and have been nudged into adopting absurdities and ideas, especially about gender and identity that are massively over-hyped.
"Alternative anti-establishment views are creepy / perverse. Go with Sir Starmer if rebellious"
on September 22, 2023, 12:20 pm