BBC issues apology over handling of complaints regarding Russell Brand
The BBC has issued an apology to staff for failing to act on complaints about Russell Brand‘s behaviour while he worked for the station.
Brand worked for both BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music between 2006 and 2008. Following a documentary by Channel 4, released in 2023, the BBC set up an internal review into Brand’s time working for the corporation and the findings have now been published.
Eight complaints were made regarding Brand, which were analysed in the review. Only two of the eight claims were brought forward to the broadcaster during the comedian’s time as a radio host for the station.
Brand is also the subject of an ongoing police investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape, which is yet to lead to any charges. He denies all allegations against him and maintains any sexual relationship was consensual.
In the BBC’s newly published report, they stated “only one formal complaint was made about Brand’s inappropriate conduct in the workplace” and there was “no evidence that his behaviour was raised with management formally at the time” beyond the one formal complaint.
However, they conceded that Brand was “perceived to be too influential” for many Rstaff to feel comfortable submitting formal complaints to management.
There was also an informal complaint, with the report stating, “It is clear that there were other concerns, but those involved felt unable or unwilling to raise these at the time as they felt the concerns would not be taken seriously and the systems for making complaints were not as clear as they are now.”
The BBC added, “There should have been better systems in place to ensure that Brand’s unacceptable behaviour was promptly picked up and addressed”.
Additionally, the BBC’s review discovered that Brand had sex with a competition winner from his 6 Music programme at the BBC’s premises. The person involved in the sexual encounter stated it was consensual but also alleged that “Brand had abused his position and taken advantage of them”.
Brand is yet to respond to the BBC’s findings from the internal review.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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