DOWNING Street has spoken out on the allegations against comedian Russell Brand, warning they are "very serious and concerning".
It comes as “several women” are said to have contacted The Times and The Sunday Times in the wake of a joint investigation with Channel 4 Dispatches, which aired at the weekend and saw separate allegations of sexual assault from four women.
Brand, 48, vehemently denies the allegations, which also includes claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, and said, in a video posted online on Friday night, that all of his relationships have been “consensual”.
On Monday morning, Rishi Sunak's official spokesman said: “These are very serious and concerning allegations.
“The Met Police has asked anyone who believes they have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward to speak to officers.
“As the Foreign Secretary said over the weekend, people should feel able to raise concerns where they have them and know they will be treated seriously and treated with sensitivity.
“The Prime Minister has been clear there should never be any space for harassment, regardless of where it is found.”
Meanwhile, Downing Street declined to urge broadcasters and streaming platforms such as YouTube and Netflix to take down Brand’s output.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s a decision for all broadcasters to consider the right approach in light of these very serious allegations. They are deeply concerning, they need to be investigated.
“But I’m not going to dictate the actions of broadcasters or streaming services.”
The initial claims of rape and sexual assault are said to be from a period between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was at the height of his fame and working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films.
The allegations made against him include one woman who claims she was sexually assaulted during a three-month relationship with Brand when she was 16 and still at school.
The woman described his behaviour towards her as “grooming” as he would allegedly provide her with scripts on how to deceive her parents into allowing her to visit him.
The BBC is facing questions after it has been alleged that he used the corporation’s car service to pick up the 16-year-old from school so she could visit his him at his home, according to The Times.
Anyone who feels affected by any of these issues can contact Rape Crisis Scotland on 08088 01 03 02.
