YouTube has suspended Russell Brand’s revenues from his channel on the platform following allegations of rape and sexual assault in a massive hit to his finances.
The video-sharing and social media site said it had suspended Brand’s channel from the YouTube partner program after serious allegations against him, meaning his videos are no longer able to monetise on the platform.
The 48-year-old comedian and actor has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films. He denies the allegations, saying all his relationships were consensual.
The Met police said on Monday it had received an allegation of sexual assault in Soho, central London, in 2003. It added that as yet no investigation had been launched.
A spokesperson for YouTube said: “We have suspended monetisation on Russell Brand’s channel for violating our creator responsibility policy. If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”
Industry experts have estimated Brand probably makes between £2,000 to £4,000 per video, which,, based on five videos a week, could produce close to £1m a year.
YouTube’s creator responsibility guidelines state that “if a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms users, employees, or ecosystem, the platform may take action to protect our community, including by suspending monetisation.
“When a creator is suspended from the YouTube partner program, they are prohibited from using a new or alternate channel to circumvent our enforcement decision.”