English comedian, actor, writer, activist, and conspiracy theorist, Russell Brand, finds himself at the centre of allegations that include rape, assault and emotional abuse. These claims date back from 2006 to 2013, a time when he enjoyed the pinnacle of his career, with prominent roles at the BBC Channel 4, and in blockbuster Hollywood movies.
UK authorities have confirmed receiving a sexual assault allegation dating back 20 years, following multiple women’s claims against Russell Brand reported in the media.
Brand, posted a video message on social media denying the “highly significant criminal allegations” hours before their official publication.
“These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time, when I was in the movies. And as I’ve written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous,” Brand said.
“Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual,” added the comedian.
The Times and Dispatches reported that one woman had made an accusation of rape, while another claimed that Brand had assaulted her when she was 16 and still in school.
Following the allegations, Brand’s management at Tavistock Wood has terminated their association with him, YouTube has banned him from earning income on the platform, and he has cancelled the remaining dates of his tour. Additionally, various broadcasters, including the BBC, have initiated investigations into the reported allegations and his conduct.
This has left the UK entertainment industry facing questions regarding whether the comedian’s fame shielded him from accountability for his behaviour.
Source: Aljazeera