Rhiannon Ingle
Russell Brand has officially responded to the multiple charges of sexual abuse brought against him earlier today (3 April).
The Metropolitan Police announced that the 49-year-old Brit had been charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault.
"Detectives began investigating in September 2023 after receiving a number of allegations, which followed reporting by Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times," the force's official statement continued.
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Brand has now taken to X to share a statement. Take a look:
In the video captioned 'my response', Brand began: "Hello. Firstly, thank you for these incredible and overwhelming messages of support.
"We're very fortunate in a way, to live in a time where there's so little trust in the British government. We're very fortunate, I suppose, that this is happening at a time where we know that the law has become a kind of weapon to be used against people, institutions and sometimes entire nations, but will not accept and tolerate levels of corruption that are unprecedented.
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"I'm speaking particularly to those of you that are watching this in the UK. How do you feel about your legal system right now? How do you feel about some of the high profile cases that are not being pursued and prosecuted? How do you feel that the Southport murders were handled. How do you feel about the government of Keir Starmer?"
He continued: "Now, that's just sort of general context. Me, I've always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family [...] I was a fool man.
"I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in non consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes. I want to thank all of you for your continuing support.
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"I want to let you know that our show will be on Rumble on Monday. Thanks for your support there. And of course, I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I'm incredibly grateful for that.
"In the meantime, you lot stay free, and we will be continuing to discuss this matter. Praise the Lord."
The ruling in question alleges that 'in 1999 a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area', 'in 2001 a woman was indecently assaulted in the Westminster area of London', 'in 2004 a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London', and 'between 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in the Westminster area of London'.
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Brand will appear in court on 2 May.
The Essex-born comic first faced the heinous allegations in September 2023, after four different women came forward claiming he'd raped them. Their accusations were featured in a joint investigation by Channel 4 documentary, Dispatches, and The Times.
The four anonymous women alleged that Brand had abused them between the years 2006 and 2013.
He subsequently responded to the speculation by uploading a self-fronted video to YouTube, in which he insisted that any relationships he'd enjoyed around this time had been entirely consensual.
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Brand also accused the UK media of orchestrating the coordinated attack against him.
"Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute," he claimed.
"Now, during that time of promiscuity, the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual. I was always transparent about that then, almost too transparent, and I'm being transparent about it now as well."
After announcing the charges that have since been brought against Brand, Andy Furphy - a Detective Superintendent from the Metropolitan Police - has since issued a further details on the case.
"The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers," he continued.
"The Met's investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.