BBC drops bombshell report into Russell Brand & apologises to staff after star accused of rape and sex assault

THE BBC has apologised to staff members after dropping a bombshell report into Russell Brand's behaviour.

The Beeb published the findings of an investigation into his time as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music.

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The Peter Johnston review looked at eight complaints between 2006 and 2008 with two made while he still worked for the BBC.

Only one of those was formally made to the corporation.

It found a number of people "felt unable to raise" concerns about the presenter and believed he "would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent".

The BBC admitted an incident relating to him urinating into a cup during a Radio 2 show was "not dealt with effectively".

In September 2023, a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed four women had accused him of sexual assaults between 2006 and 2013.

Brand denies any wrongdoing and said all his sexual relationships were "absolutely always consensual".

The Peter Johnston review said on Thursday he investigated eight complaints about Brand.

He said: "I am grateful to those who have come forward to talk to me and my team and I have apologised on behalf of the BBC to those most directly affected by what I have documented here.

"The culture of the time undoubtedly influenced what was acceptable/tolerated, but I have found that a number of individuals had concerns about Russell Brand's behaviour which they felt unable to raise then.

"Many interviewees believed, rightly or wrongly, that Russell Brand would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent (and I note here my finding above that the one complaint that was made in 2007 was not dealt with effectively when it was made).

"The processes for raising any concerns were also not as developed as they are now.

"In the intervening years the BBC has introduced other mechanisms and routes for staff to raise concerns."

In response to the report, the BBC said: "When allegations were raised about Russell Brand in 2023, relating to his work at the BBC, it was important that this was looked into methodically.

"This work has been conducted with the greatest care.

"We want to thank the individuals who have participated, as we know that it has not been easy to speak out about some of the issues the review addresses.

"The review considered eight complaints of misconduct about Russell Brand, only two of which were made while he was engaged by the BBC, one formally and one informally.

"It is of great concern that some of these individuals felt unable to raise concerns about Russell Brand's behaviour at the time, and the BBC has apologised to them as part of this review.

"It is also clear that there were compliance inadequacies on some of Russell Brand’s Radio 2 shows which led to content being aired that would not be broadcast today.

"Russell Brand left the BBC in 2008 following a high-profile editorial breach.

"As has been reported, there is an ongoing police investigation into Russell Brand.

"The BBC has been in contact with the Metropolitan police throughout the review and they have seen the report.

"The BBC acknowledges that Russell Brand categorically denies all public allegations made against him."

Brand has strongly denied all allegations, which date from the height of his fame between 2006 and 2016.

Four women accused comedian and Hollywood star Brand of sexual offences including rape.

Brand's YouTube account was suspended when the allegations emerged.