The BBC has issued an apology to staff who felt unable to raise concerns about Russell Brand’s behavior during his time as a presenter at BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music between 2006 and 2008.
An internal investigation found that employees perceived Brand as “too influential” and feared their complaints would not be taken seriously.
The review examined eight complaints, two of which were made while Brand worked at the BBC.
One formal complaint related to an incident where he urinated into a cup and acted aggressively during his show, but the BBC admitted it was “not dealt with effectively.”
The investigation was launched following separate allegations in 2023 from multiple women who accused Brand of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse, which he has denied, stating that all his relationships were consensual.
While only one formal complaint was recorded at the time, the report revealed that other concerns existed but were not officially raised.
Staff members believed Brand had the backing of station management and would always get his way, leading to their silence.
The BBC acknowledged failures in handling these issues and admitted its complaints system was not as clear then as it is now.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the complaints as “horrendous” and criticized the long-standing culture of silence in the media industry.
She urged the BBC to take action to reassure both staff and the public that it now takes such matters seriously.
The report also detailed a case where Brand had consensual sex with a competition winner on BBC premises.
The individual later stated they felt Brand had abused his position. The findings pointed to “management failings” and a lack of effective systems to monitor and address inappropriate behavior.
In a separate review, Channel 4, where Brand also worked, admitted in March 2024 that it failed to investigate a “serious” complaint against him in 2009. Since September 2023, Brand has been interviewed three times by police.
The Metropolitan Police submitted evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service in November 2024, but no decision on charges has been made.
Additional allegations in the BBC report include claims that Brand pulled a staff member towards him in a corridor, followed a woman into a bathroom in 2008 and exposed himself, and used a BBC-booked car to pick up a 16-year-old girl.
Some incidents were not reported at the time because those involved feared they would not be believed.
The review, led by Peter Johnston, cost £662,062 and concluded that the BBC’s complaint-handling processes were inadequate.
In response, the BBC emphasized that improvements have since been made, ensuring better mechanisms for staff to raise concerns.
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