Russell Brand in London, 2017.Photo:Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
WARNING: Contains graphic details of alleged sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.
Russell Brandis the subject of a new allegation of sexual assault.
The Metropolitan Police said the alleged attack took place in London in 2003 and they are in contact with the woman concerned.
On Monday,The Timesalso reported that “several women” had contacted the publication since it published the initial reporting.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told PEOPLE in a written statement, Tuesday: “On Sunday, 17 September, the Met received a report of a sexual assault which was alleged to have taken place in Soho in central London in 2003. Officers are in contact with the woman and will be providing her with support.”
Russell Brand denied the allegations in a social media video.Russell Brand/YouTube
Russell Brand/YouTube
“We first spoke withThe Sunday Timeson Saturday, 16 September and have since made further approaches toThe Sunday Timesand Channel 4 to ensure that anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offence is aware of how to report this to the police,” the statement continued.
“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."
Theincidents reported on Saturdayallegedly occurred between 2006 and 2013 when Brand was presenting shows for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 television and starring in movies such asForgetting Sarah Marshall.
One woman accused Brand of raping her against a wall in his Los Angeles home in 2012, while a former colleague alleged Brand — who has been married toLaura Gallachersince 2017 — sexually assaulted her in 2013. One of the women also claimed she was 16 and still at school while Brand was 31 at the time he allegedly assaulted her in London in 2006.
Russell Brand.Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also commented on the claims via his official spokesperson, calling them “very serious and concerning,” PEOPLE confirmed Tuesday.
The spokesperson added that Sunak “has been clear that there should never be any space for harassment regardless of where it is found.”
Brand has denied the claims. On Friday, he shared avideo on social mediasaying he “absolutely” refuted the “serious allegations.” He added that the claims were “extremely egregious and aggressive attacks.”
The BBC, Channel 4 and Banijay — the new owners of producers Endemol whom Brand previously worked for — have since opened investigations into the allegations.
On Tuesday, YouTube also revealed it had suspended Brand’s ability to make money from his channel on the platform, which has 6.6 million subscribers, following the allegations.
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A spokesperson for YouTube said in a statement perThe Guardian, “We have suspended monetisation on Russell Brand’s channel for violating ourcreator responsibility policy. If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”
Trevi Womenand Children’s Charity UK, have also cut ties with the actor, while his literary agent Tavistock Wood confirmed to PEOPLE that it would no longer represent him.
On Monday, it was also revealed that the remaining dates on Brand’s U.K. comedy tour had beenpostponed.
The BBC also announced Tuesday that it had removed some content featuring Brand from its streaming services.
“The BBC does not ban or remove content when it is a matter of public record, unless we have justification for doing so," the BBC told PEOPLE in a statement. “There is limited content featuring Russell Brand on iPlayer and Sounds. We’ve reviewed that content and made a considered decision to remove some of it, having assessed that it now falls below public expectations.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
