Russell Brand: BBC investigates five complaints about alleged star misconduct

The BBC has provided an update on its investigation into Russell Brand’s alleged behaviour, revealing that five complaints have been lodged against the star, who hosted radio shows for the British broadcaster.

The BBC said the complaints related to Brand’s behavior in the workplace between 2006 and 2008, when he presented the BBC 6 Music and Radio 2 programmes.

According to the update, two people raised concerns during his tenure and repeated their concerns after Brand left the BBC.

In 2019, a third person filed a separate complaint alleging the presenter’s behavior at the BBC building in Los Angeles in 2008.

The BBC said two further complainants had come forward since the review began. Peter Johnston, the BBC’s Chief Complaints Editor, oversees the work.

The BBC then launched an investigation The times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 reported on allegations that Brand sexually abused four women at the height of his fame. Brand strongly denies the allegations and says all his relationships were consensual.

The BBC said the complaints it was investigating related to behavior in the workplace, suggesting they did not contain allegations of serious sexual misconduct.

These include allegations that Brand’s behavior in radio studios fell below acceptable standards, including an allegation that he urinated into a bottle in front of his colleagues while recording a show in 2007.

There was also a complaint about Brand’s alleged inappropriate use of BBC cars. The company says it no longer keeps records of specific trips and that no one remembers driving into the fire, but the investigation continues.

The times And Sunday Times reported in September that Brand sent a car to a 16-year-old’s school to pick her up from class and take her to his home. When he was 30, he reportedly dated the teenager.

Johnston said: “Following recent media reports, we have undertaken extensive work to identify what complaints or allegations have been made to the BBC about Russell Brand’s behaviour.

“As time goes on, this is not an easy task – for example, at the time the BBC did not maintain a central register of staff complaints about bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment).

“We have noted that some complaints and concerns have been raised. It would not be appropriate for me to reach a conclusion until I am satisfied that all avenues of inquiry have been exhausted.”