Police have passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service containing allegations of sexual offences made by Russell Brand.
Specialist officers have been investigating non-recent accusations of rape, assault and emotional abuse by the comic and actor, following a joint investigation by Channel 4’s Dispatches programme, The Times and Sunday Times.
Brand has strongly denied all of the allegations, saying all of his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.
The dossier now rests with the CPS, who will determine whether to bring criminal charges against Brand, after an investigation that has lasted 13 months. Brand has been questioned under caution on three separate occasions, including a police interview in January.
Russell Brand – CREDIT: Cassandra Hannagan/WireImage/Getty
Andy Furphy, Detective Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, said: “Our investigation continues and a file has now been passed to the CPS. We have a team of dedicated officers providing specialist support to the women who have come forward. We are committed to investigating sexual offences, no matter how long ago they are alleged to have taken place.”
The accusations against Brand are thought to date back to the height of his commercial success, between 2006 and 2013.
The CPS will now decide whether there is enough evidence to charge the comedian and whether a trial would be in the public interest.
The claims first came to light in a Dispatches broadcast in September last year, which also included accusations of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour. In a video on his YouTube channel, Brand responded: “What I seriously refute are these very, very serious criminal allegations. Also, it’s worth mentioning that there are witnesses whose evidence directly contradicts the narrative that these two mainstream media outlets are trying to construct, apparently, in what seems to me to be a coordinated attack.
“Now, I don’t wanna get into this any further because of the serious nature of the allegations, but I feel like I’m being attacked and plainly they’re working very closely together. We are obviously going to look into this matter ’cause it’s very, very serious. In the meantime, I want you to stay close, stay awake, but more important than any of that, if you can, please stay free.”
In June, it emerged in an investigation by production company Banijay UK that concerns about Brand’s behaviour while hosting Big Brother’s Big Mouth were “not adequately addressed”.
In March, Channel 4’s chief executive, Alex Mahon, apologised on behalf of the broadcaster for not properly investigating a “serious” allegation made against Brand, relating to an incident from 2009.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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