BBC inquiry is sent two new complaints about Russell Brand
THE BBC has received two more complaints about Russell Brand, it was revealed yesterday.
Bosses at the corporation issued an update on its review into his behaviour between 2006 and 2008 when he was presenting shows on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music.
It was ordered following claims from four women that they were sexually assaulted by Brand between 2006 and 2013. The 48-year- old has denied the allegations. According to the BBC, it recorded five complaints against Brand, including two from people who raised complaints and concerns during the time he worked there and again after he left the corporation.
Another individual made a separate complaint after Brand’s departure, and two more have come forward since the BBC launched its investigation. The broadcaster’s statement from Peter Johnston, its director of editorial complaints, did not specify the nature of the latest allegations. But its news website reported that they are ‘understood to relate to his workplace conduct, and are not of a serious sexual nature’.
Mr Johnston said: ‘The nature of the complaints I am investigating to date can broadly be categorised as complaints about alleged conduct related to Russell Brand’s BBC engagements.’
He said that the claims included ‘urinating in bottles in a BBC studio’, ‘alleged inappropriate use of BBC cars’ as well as ‘ further allegations of conduct in and around the studio falling below the standards expected of someone engaged by the BBC’.
The claims against Brand, published in September by
‘Allegations of sexual assault’
The Times and Sunday Times newspapers and in a Channel 4 documentary, include allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman during a relationship with him when she was 16. Another woman says Brand raped her in 2012.
Two police forces launched investigations after the claims were published.
He has issued a statement saying his relationships were ‘always consensual’.