Met police chief urges potential victims of Russell Brand to come forward

Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan police commissioner, said he would not be surprised if many more alleged victims of Brand emerged after the former comedian turned online influencer was on Thursday convicted of rape and sexual assault.

Brand, 51, was described during his trial as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator. He was convicted of raping a woman at his luxury London townhouse and of sexually assaulting three women in front of his entourage at their workplaces, at a radio station and TV studio.

The charges and ultimate conviction followed a 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, and Times and Sunday Times reports, which aired allegations against him.

Police investigation continues

Rowley told Times Radio on Friday that there are two more rape allegations the police are looking at. He also encouraged anybody else to come forward if there are any other allegations.

He later added on BBC Breakfast that he clearly would not be surprised if many more came forward.

The Met has submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the two further rape allegations.

Power disparity in media

Dorothy Byrne, a former head of news and current affairs at Channel 4, has spoken of her own experience of sexual assault. She warned of a power disparity between high-profile talent and younger staff on short-term contracts, which often prevents victims from speaking out due to fear of professional retaliation.

Things are a lot better, particularly in large organisations. But I think that there are still young women, and I may say young men, at risk in smaller organisations, there is such a disparity in power between the talent who’s seen as absolutely key to the success of the programme and a young person who will be on a very short-term contract and will fear that if she speaks out, she may not be invited back and will be seen as a troublemaker in the industry.

Byrne said she hoped the Brand case could be a turning point, adding that she thinks there will be some men who have behaved badly who will be feeling frightened today because they’ve seen here really brave young women come forward to the police and make a complaint.