Russell Brand responds to rape charges: “I never engaged in non-consensual activity”
Russell Brand has broken his silence after being charged with rape and sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police.
On April 4th, Brand was charged with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, following a lengthy investigation that began in 2023. He was interviewed on multiple occasions by the police during the investigation.
The charges relate to four separate incidents involving four women. It’s alleged that a woman was raped in the Bournemouth area in 1999, a woman was indecently assaulted in Westminster, London, in 2001, a woman was orally raped and sexually assaulted in Westminster, London, in 2004 and between 2004 and 2005, a woman was sexually assaulted in Westminster, London.
Responding to the charges, Brand shared a video to X. He began by saying, “Thank you for these incredible and overwhelming messages of support. We’re very fortunate in a way to live in a time when there’s so little trust in the British government. We’re very fortunate, I suppose, that this is happening at a time when we know that the law has become a kind of weapon to be used against people, institutions and sometimes, entire nations that will not accept and tolerate levels of corruption that are unprecedented.”
Brand also asked those viewing the video who are based in the UK about how they feel about the British legal system before referencing the Southport murders which occurred in 2024.
The comedian continued by saying that “when I was young and single” he “was a fool before I lived in the light of the lord”. He added: “I was a drug addict, sex addict and imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
Brand then promoted his upcoming live stream on Rumble on April 7th before concluding, “Of course, I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.”
Brand, who is now based in Florida, has been instructed to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on May 2nd.
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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