Russell Brand questioned by police about six more alleged historical sex offences

Russell Brand has been questioned by police in connection with six further alleged historical sex offences, it has emerged.

The comedian and actor is understood to have voluntarily attended a police station in south London on December 14, when he was interviewed under caution.

Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault and abuse. He has denied the allegations.Credit: Chris Pizello

Brand had previously been questioned by Scotland Yard detectives in relation to three historical sex offence allegations.

It comes after he was accused in September of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against a number of different women.

Following the claims, which appeared after a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, it is understood other alleged victims came forward to police.

Scotland Yard launched a criminal investigation after receiving a complaint from a woman who claimed she had been sexually assaulted by Brand in central London 20 years ago. The incident is alleged to have taken place in Soho in 2003 before Brand, 48, was a household name.

There have been no arrests, and Brand has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

It is not known when the information about the six new allegations first came to light or how many alleged victims have come forward.

While Brand was not named by police, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: “A man in his 40s attended a police station in south London on Thursday, Dec 14 for a second time. He was interviewed under caution by detectives in relation to a further six non-recent sexual offences.”

After launching the investigation in September, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is heading the inquiry, said: “We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us.

Russell Brand leaves the Troubadour Theatre at Wembley Park after his show on September 16.Credit: AP

“We understand it can feel like a difficult step to take, and I want to reassure that we have a team of specialist officers available to advise and support.”

Brand is also being investigated by Thames Valley Police in relation to allegations of stalking and harassment that date back to 2018. The complainant in that case had previously contacted the police, but recently came forward again with “new information”.

In October, a spokesman for the force said: “Thames Valley Police, in the past two weeks, received new information in relation to harassment and stalking allegations dating back to 2018.

“This information is being investigated. As such it would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation.”

Brand has lived in Oxfordshire since 2014, first in the Woodstock area and then later near Henley-on-Thames, where he moved with his wife Laura Gallacher.

He bought The Crown pub in Pishill in 2020 and is thought to be converting the building into a recording and radio studio.

BBC investigating

In addition to the ongoing police inquiries, the BBC is investigating complaints about Brand’s alleged behaviour when he worked for the public broadcaster.

BBC bosses ordered a thorough review to establish what was known about his alleged actions amid claims that at least one senior executive was aware of complaints but brushed them under the carpet.

Three of the five complaints being looked at were lodged with the corporation before Brand was publicly accused of misconduct in the media earlier this year.

It is understood one was made in 2019 and relates to a previously reported allegation of misconduct while on BBC premises in Los Angeles in 2008, while the two others relate to Brand’s time working as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.

Channel 4, where Brand worked for a number of years, also launched an internal investigation to establish how complaints were handled and has removed all his content from its popular streaming platform.

The Telegraph

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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