... and the my stery over why so little goes to charity

THE comedian promises his customers that all profits from his T-shirts and sweatshirts go to charity and that he ‘doesn’t make a penny’.

But when the Daily Mail bought a sweatshirt for £ 0 (customers can pay more if you want) the receipt gave no indication of what amount had been passed to charity.

A reporter bought another one for £ 5 and was informed on their receipt that just £1.37 went to good causes – which good causes are not disclosed on Brand’s web-

site. Brand has not responded to requests to clarify if there is no profit on a £60 sweatshirt, though he does insist that all profits go to good causes.

When asked what these causes are, Brand said the money is put towards ‘social enterprise projects’ – including his own trendy East London cafe.

Brand last night refused to clarify where the profits go or if he donates any of the money to any organisations beyond his cafe.

His legal team said: ‘All profit from the sale of Trews merchandise goes towards building community social enterprise projects – including Trews cafe. No profits are retained.’

Trews café is said to be a not-forprofit business established by Brand and based in Shoreditch, East London.

During promotion for his book, Brand stated that he would use the profits to fund a social enterprise to employ former drug users in ‘abstinence-based recovery’ and help them return to work.

Last night Conservative MP Andrew Percy suggested he ‘could have his merchandise made in Britain and support jobs for young people here’.

The Charity Commission urged Brand to explain to customers exactly where their money goes.

Last year the website said the money from his merchandise would go to the Russell Brand Foundation.

This has subsequently been removed from the site and the Charity Commission said it had no record of the ‘Foundation.’

Brand has not responded to questions about the Foundation.