An investigation into Russell Brand’s conduct at the BBC has revealed multiple inappropriate behavior complaints, leading the British broadcasting network to issue an apology to staff who felt silenced by Brand’s star power. The report, released by the BBC, detailed eight complaints of misconduct during Brand’s time as a radio presenter on stations Radio 2 and 6 Music from 2006 to 2008. However, only two complaints were made while he was still working there.
The report highlighted instances where staff felt intimidated and unable to speak up about Brand’s behavior. Some of the reported behaviors included urinating in cups in the radio studio, engaging in sexual acts on the premises, and exposing himself to staff and visitors. One incident involved Brand allegedly following a woman into the bathroom and showing her his genitals before a show.
The investigation also mentioned a woman, referred to as Alice, who claimed to have been in a relationship with Brand when she was 16. She alleged that Brand would have BBC-supplied drivers take her from school to his home, raising questions about the BBC’s knowledge of these arrangements.
The BBC acknowledged its failure to address these issues at the time, admitting compliance inadequacies on Brand’s Radio 2 shows. They also noted Brand’s departure from the BBC in 2008 following an editorial breach. The BBC confirmed ongoing police investigations into Brand and stated that they have been in contact with the Metropolitan police regarding the report.
In 2023, Brand faced accusations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse by several women. Brand has denied all allegations, claiming that his relationships were consensual. As of now, Brand and his representatives have not responded to the BBC’s findings.