Channel 4 employee made ‘serious & concerning’ allegation about Russell Brand – but it wasn’t investigated, report says

CHANNEL 4 bosses have apologised to one of their former employees who made a “serious and concerning allegation” about Russell Brand’s behaviour.

But, a probe found the broadcaster failed to investigate claims properly.

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A Channel 4 investigation has found there was ‘no evidence’ bosses knew of allegations against Russell Brand[/caption]

PA

The comedian was accused of a string of offences in September[/caption]

Channel 4 was forced to launch a probe into the comedian’s time making shows for them after a string of allegations against him were made public.

The litany of claimes were first revealed in September last year as part of a joint Channel 4 and The Sunday Times and The Times investigation.

Five women came forward to accuse him of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 to 2013.

Some of the complaints came from Brand’s time working as a radio host for the BBC, who have launched an investigation.

Since the Dispatches documentary aired, more women have come forward.

Brand has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and insists his relationships were “always consensual”.

And today a report found that no Channel 4 employees were aware of the behaviour of the comedian when he was a presenter on Big Brother’s Big Mouth and on Kings of Comedy from 2004 to 2007.

But they did highlight a “serious allegation” made in 2009, that wasn’t sent up the chain of command or dealt with correctly.

C4 CEO Alex Mahon said: “One former Channel 4 employee made a serious and concerning allegation about Russell Brand in 2009.

“This was not escalated to Channel 4’s then senior management team, nor investigated as it should have been.

“I have apologised on behalf of the organisation to the individual for this breakdown and for the distress this matter has caused.

“In my view, it is a matter of regret for our industry that repugnant behaviours were tolerated – and indeed appeared on-air – in the past.

“Production staff, employees and suppliers should never experience inappropriate behaviour.

“Channel 4 and I are committed to creating an environment where if any employee or person working on a Channel 4-commissioned show feels uncomfortable about behaviour towards them, then processes are in place for investigation and for appropriate action to be taken.”

Russell Brand: In Plain Sight: Dispatches aired on C4 on September 16, 2023, which looked at numerous allegations made against Brand during his time with broadcasters, including the BBC.

Afterwards the C4 Board and Ethics committee reviewed 111,984 emails and 333 files of archived hard copy documents, with 88 current and former Channel 4 employees approached for interview.

They also received two reports via C4’s Speak Up facility, the first of which couldn’t be substantiated. The second was probed and prompted the apology.

Sir Ian Cheshire, Chair of Channel 4 said: “I would like to thank the investigating team for conducting a careful and far-reaching review and to thank those interviewed for their assistance.

“The Board is satisfied that no Channel 4 employees were aware of the deeply disturbing alleged behaviour contained in Russell Brand: In Plain Sight: Dispatches.

However, we consider it clear that a serious allegation about Russell Brand was made in 2009 by a then serving member of staff which was not properly investigated nor escalated to Channel 4’s then senior management.

“The Board and Ethics Committee are confident that strengthened safeguarding processes introduced in the past decade mean that an allegation such as this would today be reportable through multiple routes.

“The investigation’s recommendations, which are accepted in full, will further strengthen Channel 4’s already rigorous safeguarding processes to further protect and uphold the welfare of all employees and those that the channel works with.”

Brand spoke publically in January for the first time since the allegations came out.

In a rambling, 45-minute long interview, Brand labelled the allegations as “hurtful and painful”.

He said: “Of course, I deny any allegations of the kind that have been advanced and what I have seen is the significance of family and the importance of beliefs that are transcendent of this.”

The comic continued: “I reject the allegations in the strongest possible terms.”

Speaking to host Tucker Carlson, he said: “I put myself in a vulnerable position by being very promiscuous.

“Attacks like this, accused of what I consider to be the most appalling crimes, is very painful and hurtful. But there are consequences to the foolish way I lived in the past.”

It comes after Brand was interviewed under caution in relation to three “non-recent” alleged sexual offences in November last year.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “A man in his 40s attended a police station in south London for a second time on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

“He was interviewed under caution by detectives in relation to further non-recent sexual offences.

“The same man previously attended a police station on Thursday, November 16, 2023, for questioning. Inquiries continue.”