BBC apologises over handling of Russell Brand misconduct complaints

nme.com:

BBC has apologised to employees who felt unable to speak up about alleged misconduct by former presenter Russell Brand, after concluding a report on his time working for 6 Music and Radio 2, between 2006 and 2008.In September 2023, the TV personality was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse following an investigation by Channel 4, The Times and The Sunday Times.

The four accusations relate to his professional and personal life, and separate to the complaints mentioned in the report. Later that month, he was accused of exposing himself to a woman while in Los Angeles recording a BBC Radio show in 2008.Brand has denied all allegations, releasing a video stating: “Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute”.On page 10 of the 15-page report, led by Peter Johnston, it was stated: “What is clear is that many BBC staff and freelancers, especially in more junior roles, found Russell Brand demanding and difficult to work with and his behaviour extreme, but all felt that there was no point in complaining as they believed they would not be listened to and, rightly or wrongly, that Russell Brand as a high-profile presenter had the support of the station management”.Today (January 30), a BBC press release in response to the report read: “When allegations were raised about Russell Brand in 2023, relating to his work at the BBC, it was important that this was looked into methodically.