Russell Brand hires Prince Andrew’s lawyer for sex assault case

Russell Brand has hired a Hollywood lawyer who has represented Prince Andrew and actor Armie Hammer to fight sex assault claims.

Comedian and actor Russell Brand has hired Hollywood powerhouse lawyer Andrew Brettler – who is said to charge $US2000 ($A3071) an hour for his expertise – to defend sex claims against him in the US.

Brand, 48, who has denied the rape allegations and described them as a “painful, hurtful attack”, has solicited the services of the lawyer who represented the Duke of York in the civil lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre who claimed she was sex-trafficked by the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Her case was settled out of court in 2022 for a reported $12 million with no admission of liability by Prince Andrew, who has vehemently denies all charges.

Mr Brettler also represents actor Armie Hammer – who was once the subject of rape allegations.

Russell Brand has denied the rape allegations against him. Picture: AFP

Brand’s case involves a woman known as “Jane Doe” who filed suit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York last November, saying he assaulted her on the set of his movie Arthur, which was released in 2011.

Her affidavit claims Brand “appeared intoxicated, smelled of alcohol and was carrying a bottle of vodka on set” on July 7, 2010, before he exposed himself “in full view of the cast and crew”.

Later that day, she alleges, Brand sexually assaulted her in a bathroom while a crew member guarded the door from the outside.

She is suing for damages saying the incident left her traumatised and she fears if her name becomes public it will jeopardise her career.

Russell Brand has described claims of sexual assault against him as “hurtful”. Picture: PA Images via Getty Images

Last week, Brand spoke to ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, in which he referred to claims made by at least five women who accused him of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse in an investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

There have been no charges brought in the UK and Brand denies any wrongdoing.

He told Carlson: “I reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms. I am aware I have put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous.”

On Saturday the funny man was accused of “bullying and victim shaming” by the lawyer for the woman, who says she was assaulted on the set of Arthur.

Lawyer Jordan Merson, who represents this woman who has filed the civil lawsuit in New York claiming the actor exposed himself to her in 2010 and later sexually assaulted her in a bathroom, said of Brand’s interview with Carlson: “Unfortunately this sort of conduct is not uncommon in individuals who have sexually abused other people.”

“It is all part of distraction, bullying and victim shaming.

“Brand’s comments were unfortunate but they do not discourage us in the least.”

Originally published as Russell Brand hires Prince Andrew’s lawyer for sex assault case