A Timeline of Russell Brand’s Recent Controversies

WARNING: Contains graphic details of alleged sexual assault that some readers may find disturbing.

Russell Brand is facing a series of allegations.

The 48-year-old comedian was recently accused of rape, sexual assault and physical and emotional abuse by five women. Sunday Times, Times and UK current affairs show Submissions.

On September 16, media outlets reported that the alleged incidents occurred between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and a Hollywood film actor. Four of the five women are unknown and one was 16 at the time.

Before the reports were published, Brand, who did not name the TV company or the newspaper, said in a video shared on social media that he “absolutely denies” the allegations, describing the allegations as “extremely grave and offensive attacks.” ”

Since that time Times‘ was published, the newspaper reported that “several women” had made new allegations against Brand; Additionally, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a written statement to PEOPLE that they “received a report” of a sexual assault that allegedly took place in London in 2003.

PEOPLE confirmed that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also commented on the allegations through his official spokesman, describing them as “very serious and worrying.” Banijay (who owns Endemol, the media company that previously hired Brand), the BBC and Channel 4 have also launched investigations into the allegations.

Read on to get the timeline of Brand’s recent controversies.

September 15, 2023: Russell Brand denies ‘criminal’ allegations linked to his ‘random’ past in video

Brand shared a video on his social media on September 15, denying allegations of “very serious crime” against him regarding his past “random” behavior. In the clip, the actor stated that he “absolutely denied” the allegations and described them as “extremely grave and aggressive attacks.”

“I received two extremely disturbing letters, or a letter and an email, one from a mainstream media TV company and the other from a newspaper, listing a repeated list of extremely horrific and offensive attacks,” he said in the video. But among these astonishing, quite baroque attacks, there are also some very serious allegations that I have absolutely refuted.”

September 16, 2023: Russell Brand is accused of raping and sexually assaulting multiple women

A day after Brand shared his video, he was accused of rape, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse by five women (four of whom remained anonymous), one of whom was 16 at the time. Sunday Times, Times and UK current affairs show Submissions.

Media outlets reported — in an article published by Times on September 16 and during an episode Posts The same evening it was alleged the incidents took place between 2006 and 2013, when the comedian was a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and a Hollywood film actor.

According to this Times The article claims the first incident occurred in 2006, when Brand was 30 and working as a presenter for Channel 4. Big Brother’s Big Mouth and as a BBC radio presenter.

A second, unidentified woman accused Brand of raping her against a wall in her Los Angeles home on July 1, 2012. Timesincluding how he was “trying to get away from her.”

A third unnamed woman, said to be a co-worker, alleged that Brand sexually assaulted her in early 2013. Times She said he “grabbed me and laid me down on the bed” and continued kissing her and removing her clothes while she was pinned down.

Another woman, who shared her story anonymously, allegedly Times and during Posts The part where he showed Brand his penis when he entered the locker room while working with him.

Brand’s ex-girlfriend Jordan Martin’s account was also shared Times. In his 2014 book, kNote: Hanging Out with a Celebrity, accused Brand of sexually assaulting and physically and emotionally abusing her during the six months they dated. (He marked the beginning of their relationship as February 2007.)

September 18, 2023: Russell Brand faces new allegations over “new” allegations from “several women”

Days later, Times reported that “several women” reached out to the newspaper with “new” allegations about Brand.

Government minister Caroline Nokes, who said on September 18 that “celebrities could act as a shield”, encouraged Scotland Yard to investigate the allegations against Brand. Times.

The same day, Scotland Yard confirmed to PEOPLE that London’s Metropolitan Police was “aware of media reports regarding a number of allegations of sexual assault.” But the statement added that they had “not received any reports regarding this matter” and encouraged anyone “who believes they have been a victim” to “contact the police”.

September 18, 2023: Russell Brand’s UK comedy tour postponed

Brand was scheduled to perform three stand-up shows in the UK over the next two weeks. bipolarization type. However, it was postponed after the allegations.

“We are postponing several remaining addiction charity fundraising shows, which we do not like to do – but we know you will understand,” the tour’s organizers said in a statement shared on September 18 by the Theater Royal Windsor, where Brand is based. It will appear on September 19th according to Hollywood Reporter.

Brand continued his performance on the night of September 16 and received a standing ovation. Erdogan also thanked the crowd of about 2,000 people for coming and said there were some issues he could not discuss that night, BBC News reported.

“I really appreciate your support, I love you and I want to put on a great show for you,” he told the crowd. “I have a lot to talk to you about. There are some things I absolutely cannot talk about, and I’m grateful you’ll understand.”

19 September 2023: Another alleged assault took place in London, Metropolitan Police say

Brand was the subject of a new sexual assault allegation that reportedly occurred in 2003. The Metropolitan Police said the alleged attack took place in London and they were in contact with the woman involved.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told PEOPLE in a written statement on September 19: “On Sunday, September 17, the Met received a report of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Soho, central London, in 2003. “We will be in contact with the woman and provide her with support.”

September 19, 2023: A resurfaced video shows Russell Brand suggesting to a 15-year-old that he should throw a sex-themed birthday party

Among the allegations is a clip from Brand’s BBC radio show: Russell Brand ShowResurfaced on X (formerly known as Twitter) by Channel 4 Posts. In the 2007 audio clip, Brand suggested to a 15-year-old caller that he throw a sex-themed birthday party.

“I guess you’re 16, you can’t drink or do any drugs yet because it’s illegal,” the comedian tells the caller looking for ideas for a 16th birthday party. “You will now be legally allowed to have sexual partners,” the caller continues in the resurfaced clip, while laughing.

“You now have to theme the party around legal sex,” adds Brand. (The age of consent in the UK is 16.)

He then suggests that the exchange throw a vampire-themed party or masquerade ball, which he says is “erotic in its own way, but repressed, in a way appropriate for a 16-year-old girl.” ”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to: rainn.org.