The BBC is investigating 5 complaints into the conduct of Russell Brand throughout the comic’s time as a presenter for the broadcaster.
In September, the Sunday Times of London, The Times and U.Ok. broadcaster Channel 4’s documentary group “Dispatches” printed the outcomes of a year-long investigation the place Brand was accused of “rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.” Brand preemptively denied the allegations in a YouTube video titled “So, This Is Happening,” the place he stated he “completely refutes” the “litany of astonishing, quite baroque, assaults.”
The BBC launched a evaluation into Brand’s conduct for the time he was with the broadcaster and has now known as for extra info.
“Following current media reporting, we’ve got undertaken important work to establish what complaints or allegations have been made to the BBC about Russell Brand’s conduct. The passage of time means this isn’t a simple job – for instance, the BBC didn’t preserve a centralised document of workers complaints relating to bullying and harassment (together with sexual harassment) on the time,” Peter Johnston, the BBC’s director of editorial complaints and critiques, stated in a abstract of the company’s investigation.
“We have established that some complaints and considerations have been raised. It wouldn’t be applicable for me to succeed in any conclusions till I’m happy all traces of enquiry have been exhausted. In specific, we’re involved to make sure that anybody who has related info has the chance to talk to us. Therefore I’m now sharing my phrases of reference and updating on progress thus far, I’m additionally encouraging anybody who has info which can be related to the phrases of reference of this evaluation to come back ahead and speak to us confidentially through [email protected],” Johnston added.
Johnston stated that the complaints referring to Brand’s BBC engagements embrace allegations of inappropriate conduct within the office (together with urinating in bottles in a BBC studio); alleged inappropriate use of BBC vehicles; additional allegations of conduct in and across the studio falling beneath the requirements anticipated of somebody engaged by the BBC; and a 2008 allegation in Los Angeles.
“I’m treating all of those allegations severely,” Johnston stated. “Our investigations to this point point out a complete of 5 complaints on to the BBC: two people raised complaints and considerations throughout 2006-8 and raised these points once more after Russell Brand left the BBC. A separate grievance was made by one other particular person after Russell Brand had left the BBC in relation to the 2008 allegation in LA. Two additional complainants have come ahead because the evaluation started. Some others have additionally come ahead to share their observations and to boost normal considerations about that interval. It can be clear from viewers suggestions that there was a wider concern concerning the tone and content material of a few of Russell Brand’s reveals.”
“I need to emphasise the significance of understanding how complaints have been addressed on the time and whether or not the BBC’s actions have been applicable. Although my work is by no means full and subsequently I can not but attain any conclusions, it could seem that no disciplinary motion was taken towards Russell Brand throughout his engagement with the BBC in 2006-8 previous to his departure from the BBC,” Johnston added.
The BBC can be reviewing viewers complaints and feedback from 2006-2008.
