Russell Brand: More women accuse former comedian of sexual misconduct after jail sentence handed down
More women have come forward with claims about the behaviour of Russell Brand as UK leader Andy Burnham says the media industry should protect women and girls.
Russell Brand has been accused of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by a further six women, according to a report.
Brand, 51, was jailed this week after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others during his career.
In a new investigation by the Times and The Sunday Times, the comedian is accused of having sex with a woman without her consent and then apologising afterwards.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The newspapers also alleged the comedian continued having sex with another woman after she asked him to stop because he was hurting her.
The new allegations come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the media industry needs to “look at itself” and “step forward” to protect women and girls following Brand’s rape conviction and allegations of sexual misconduct made against comedian David Walliams.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told MPs that ministers “would not hesitate” to take action if protections put in place are inadequate.
The Times reported that a woman, who said she had an on-off relationship with Brand in the late 2000s after a professional meeting at his London home, said the comedian continued having sex with her despite her saying “No, stop”.
After the alleged incident, the woman said Brand apologised to her in person and by text message.
Another woman who encountered Brand when she was queuing to meet him with a friend in 2007, then aged 19, says she told him during sex “It’s painful” and asked him to stop, but he did not.
The woman claimed Brand said afterwards: “Tonight was consensual. Nobody did anything they didn’t want to do.”
Brand is also accused of misconduct by a fan who met him after he performed at a venue in the US, in 2013, who claimed he “manhandled” her and forced his hand down her trousers, adding: “I didn’t resist. I just sort of let it happen.”
Another woman said Brand approached her in 2005 at a music festival and told her: “Please I just need to have sex with you, I will pay you.”
According to the investigation, Brand is also accused of misconduct by a woman who won a BBC 6 Music competition and was invited as a guest on his show in 2006.
After seeing each other sporadically for the next year, she claimed Brand told her to lick a toilet seat at his house and “got angry” when she refused.
Another woman, who worked at a London venue Brand visited regularly in 2015, said a member of Brand’s staff told her there: “Russell wants you” and said “he’s in the disabled toilets”.
She said when she went in the lights were off and Brand claimed he wanted toilet paper, but grabbed her when she went to hand it to him.
The new allegations against Brand could not be reported until his trial ended to avoid prejudicing proceedings.
The newspapers reported that Brand’s lawyer said he would consider “injunctive relief” but did not send any response to the allegations despite an agreed deadline.
The Press Association has contacted Brand’s lawyer for comment.
Brand has previously denied wrongdoing and claimed all his relationships were consensual.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
