The BBC is taking the sexual assault allegations against Russell Brand seriously. They are reviewing Brand’s time and breaking history with the company to find the truth behind the accusations against the actor and comedian.
Russell Brand has been in hot water this past few days since the Sunday Times article about his alleged sexual assault came out. According to the article during his time with the BBC and Channel 4 in 2006 to 2013, Brand used his influence to date women and take advantage of them sexually, including a minor. According to the Times article, Brand used vehicles owned by the BBC to pick up a 16-year-old woman from school who was allegedly his sexual partner. It is clear that these damning accusations are being taken by both the media and the police seriously. Brand’s popular reputation is another factor in why this case has blown up.
Russell Brand has continuously denied the allegations against him and released a video talking about the accusations, saying that all his relationships during the time. he was with BBC and Channel 4 and had been consensual. In recent news, the BBC has reiterated how seriously they are taking this matter at hand. BBC, Director Tim Davey said that they are going to review and go over the time Brand was still working with the company to see if there is any truth of his using his influence, and possibly BBC assets to commit these atrocious actions he is being accused of.
Another direct consequence of the accusations is on Russell, Brand’s YouTube videos. After his stint as a comedian and a TV presenter, Brand has been laying low on the mainstream media, choosing to become somewhat of a lifestyle coach, and has been posting videos on YouTube or guesting on channel 4. With the recent events that took place, YouTube has suspended advertisements on videos posted by Russell Brand, effectively reducing his monetization on the platform.
Channel 4, which is a popular broadcasting company in the UK, has also reviewed and taken down any content, they have featuring Brand. This action was prompted by the earlier announcement of the BBC, saying that they have removed some of their content from iPlayer and BBC Sounds that featured Russell Brand as well.
“We’ve reviewed that content, and made a considered decision to remove some of it, having access that it now falls below public expectations,“ a BBC spokesperson said.
Channel 4 also issued a statement, saying, “Channel 4 is appalled to learn of these deeply troubling allegations including behavior alleged to have taken place on programs made for Channel 4 between 2004 and 2007. we are determined to understand the full nature of what went on. We have carried out extensive document searches and have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incident was brought to the attention of Channel 4. We will continue to review this and latest any further information we receive, including the accounts of those affected individuals… We have asked the production company who produced the programs for channel 4 to investigate these allegations and report their findings properly and satisfactorily to us. Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation.”
Suffice it to say the UK media is doing its part in the investigation of the accusations against Russell Brand. In the meantime, Brand won’t be earning as much from his previous work, as evidenced by the actions of YouTube, the BBC, and Channel Four combined.