U.K. prosecutors mull whether to charge Russell Brand over sex assault allegations
November 3, 2024 / 1:46 PM Eastern Standard Time / CBS/AP
London authorities looking into Russell Brand.
British authorities looking into comedian and actor Russell Brand regarding claims of historical sexual misconduct have submitted a report of findings to prosecutors. This will allow them to decide whether to file charges against him.
On Saturday evening, the Crown Prosecution Service announced, "The police have submitted a case file for us to review in order to determine whether charges should be filed. Any decision regarding charges will be made independently, taking into account the evidence and adhering to our legal criteria."
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police in London have questioned 49-year-old Brand on three occasions regarding claims of "historical sexual misconduct."
"Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is overseeing the investigation, stated, 'Our inquiry is still ongoing, and we have now submitted a case to the Crown Prosecution Service. We have assembled a dedicated team of officers who are offering specialized assistance to the women who have stepped forward. We are fully committed to looking into sexual offenses, regardless of when they are said to have occurred.'"
In September 2023, British media sources Channel 4 and the Sunday Times reported allegations from four women who accused Brand of sexual assault or rape during the peak of his popularity, between 2006 and 2013.
Another woman who made allegations against Brand shared with the BBC, which is CBS News' partner, that she was in the same building as the BBC office in Los Angeles when the incident took place. She claimed that shortly after, Brand jokingly referenced the situation on his radio show.
The names of those making the accusations have not been revealed.
The comedian, writer, and actor from "Get Him To The Greek" has refuted the claims, asserting that his relationships were always based on mutual agreement.
Famous for his bold and provocative comedy acts, Brand has hosted various radio and TV programs, penned memoirs detailing his struggles with addiction, featured in multiple Hollywood films, and was married to pop singer Katy Perry for a short time from 2010 to 2012.
In the past few years, Brand has mostly faded from traditional media outlets, but he has gained a substantial online audience through videos that blend health topics with conspiracy theories.
In a special chat with "CBS Mornings" following the surfacing of the allegations, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan explained the platform's choice to halt monetization on Brand's channel, referring to YouTube's guidelines on creator accountability.
Mohan explained that if creators engage in inappropriate behavior outside the platform, or if there are negative news stories about them that could harm the overall creator community, it might lead to a suspension from our monetization program. "This has affected several creators and public figures on our platform before, and that is what happened in this specific situation involving serious accusations."
