LONDON (Bywire News) - Russell Brand, the infamously controversial comic, now has the spectre of a sexual assault custodian on his heels as the Metropolitan Police reveal an allegation dating back to 2003. The revelation has prompted a hiatus for Brand's live shows,reports Sky News.
Hot on the heels of separate claims against Brand by four women, spanning from 2006 to 2013, as part of a probe by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches, the latest allegation further tarnishes Brand's comedic career. While Brand has stoutly denied the allegations, they add another sordid chapter to his already chequered past.
Brand was slated to perform at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, this Tuesday with upcoming gigs in Wolverhampton and Plymouth. The tour's promoters have, however, decided to postpone the shows due to these emerging allegations.
More shockers may yet come to light as The Times claimed to have received additional allegations against Brand from several women. These, however, are yet to undergo a thorough verification process.
In response, the Met Police admitted they were aware of the allegations revealed by the Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches. Met spokesperson stated they had received an allegation of a sexual assault, supposedly committed in Soho, Central London in 2003 and were in touch with the woman involved offering support.
The squeaky-clean image of the BBC was also tainted when an accuser, identified as Alice, said that the BBC had, when she was only 16, sent a car to pick her up from school and driven her to Brand's house. The experience, Alice claimed on BBC Radio 4 'Woman’s Hour', left her feeling 'cheap and dirtied'.
Brand, 48 and adamant about his innocence, released a video on Friday night stating all his relationships were 'consensual'. Despite his denial, Brand’s allegations are perceived as 'very serious and concerning', a sentiment echoed by Downing Street.
The aftermath of these allegations has been swift with Channel 4 and TV production company Banjiany UK launching investigations. The BBC has also stated they were urgently looking into the issues raised, and charity Trevi House has severed ties with the comedian.
In a gig performed just after these allegations were made public, Brand told the audience that he 'loved them' but could not discuss certain matters.
The bottom line is that these allegations are indeed severe. These are not matters of promiscuous behaviour but grave explicit violations. Brand himself admits this, stating in his recent video that he fully challenges the 'very, very serious criminal allegations' levied against him. One can only hope that due justice will be served in this complex scenario.
(By Michael O'Sullivan)