Four women have accused Russell Brand of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse
London:
British comedian and actor Russell Brand called it an “extraordinary and disturbing week” on Friday in his first public comments since rape and assault allegations were made against him, but did not address the allegations.
“Of course, it has been an extraordinary and worrying week and I thank you very much for your support and for challenging the information that is being presented to you,” he said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, who has 6.64 million subscribers. He also posted the video on his official X account (formerly Twitter).
“I need your support now more than ever, more than I ever imagined,” he added.
However, he did not comment on the joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4 television, in which four women alleged rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse against him.
Then on Thursday, a woman accused Brand of exposing himself to her in 2008.
Brand criticized the British government for calling on technology companies to take action against him.
He denounced what he called “state-corporation collusion” and “corruption and censorship in the media” and said he would release a longer video on Monday.
So… pic.twitter.com/UXxQqQukDb
– Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) September 22, 2023
In a video released last week, shortly before the story broke, Brand, 48, denied the allegations against him, which were said to have been made between 2006 and 2013.
He said his relationships had always been “consensual”, even during a time when he admitted to being “very, very promiscuous”.
Happens pic.twitter.com/N8zIKLbJN2
– Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) September 15, 2023
Rishi Sunak on the allegations against Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman described the allegations as “very serious and worrying”.
Sunak “has made it clear that there should never be room for harassment, regardless of where it occurs,” he added.
Brand’s publisher Bluebird announced that “all future releases” featuring the comedian have been put on hold.
Video sharing platform YouTube has also demonetized its content.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)