Crown considering charging Russell Brand over sex offense allegations

Prosecutors are considering whether to file charges against actor and comedian Russell Brand over historic sexual misconduct allegations.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Metropolitan Police detectives had handed over a dossier of evidence relating to allegations of sexual offenses against the 49-year-old.

It comes after a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches last year revealed four women had accused Brand of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013.

The actor denies the accusations and has previously stated that all of his sexual relationships have been “absolutely always consensual.”

On Saturday, a spokesman for the CPS said: “We can confirm that a file has been forwarded to us by the police for consideration of a charging decision in this case.

“The decision to charge is made independently, based on the evidence and in line with our legal tests.”

Metropolitan Police Inspector Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation is ongoing and a file has now been passed to the CPS.

“We have a dedicated team of officers who provide specialist support to women who come forward.

“We are committed to investigating sexual crimes, no matter how long ago they are alleged to have occurred.”

At the time of the alleged crimes, Brand was at the height of his fame, working for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and appearing in Hollywood films.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the Met said: “Following an investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times in September 2023, the Met received a number of reports of sexual offenses from women in London and elsewhere in the country.

“An evidence file has now been forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for consideration.

“As part of the investigation, a man in his 40s was questioned by police officers on three separate occasions.

“These interviews concerned a range of non-recent sexual offenses which are alleged to have occurred both in and outside London.

“Officers continue to support the CPS as part of their investigation.”

Police added: “This is a complex and sensitive matter and our absolute priority is to protect the integrity of our investigation and maintain and support the trust of potential victims.

“We will continue to proactively issue updates to the media at key moments in our investigation.”

Brand vehemently denies the allegations made against him and stated in a video posted online that all of his relationships were consensual.

The comedian claimed he was facing “a repeat of extremely horrific and offensive attacks”.

“Among these astonishing, quite baroque attacks, there are very serious allegations that I absolutely deny,” he said.

“These allegations relate to periods when I was working in the mainstream, constantly appearing in newspapers, appearing in films, and acting very, very promiscuously, which I have written about extensively in my books.”

He continued: “Now, during this period of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely, always consensual.

“I was always transparent about it then, almost too transparent, and I’m being transparent about it now.

“Seeing the transparency that I absolutely deny turn into crime makes me ask the question: Is there another agenda at play?”

The CPS did not say when they received the file or when they would decide whether to lay charges against Brand.

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