Russell Brand accused of rape and sexual assault in joint media investigation

On 16 September 2023, The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4's Dispatches documentary series jointly published an investigation into the comedian and actor Russell Brand. Four women accused him of offences including rape and sexual assault between 2006 and 2013, at the height of his fame in Britain and the United States.

One woman alleged she was raped, and another said she was sexually assaulted. One of the women said she was a teenager at the time of her relationship with him. The programme also examined the culture around Brand at the BBC, in film and in television.

Brand denied the allegations. Days before publication he had posted a video online saying his relationships had always been consensual. He later presented himself as a target of a coordinated attack by mainstream media.

The reports had immediate consequences. Brand's tour dates were postponed, YouTube suspended his ability to earn money from his channel, and several broadcasters and production companies distanced themselves from him. The Metropolitan Police later received reports of alleged offences, and the investigation eventually led to criminal charges.