Russell Brand: broadcasters launch investigations into abuse allegations

BBC, Channel 4 and Amnesty gathering evidence on claims of harassment and rape between 2006 and 2013

Broadcasters have launched urgent investigations into the historical conduct of Russell Brand while the Metropolitan police has appealed for any potential victims to come forward after the comedian was accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.

The BBC said it was urgently looking into the issues raised" by the publication of allegations over the weekend that Brand harmed four women, including claims that he raped a woman in Los Angeles and sexually assaulted a British schoolgirl aged 16. Channel 4 has also pulled all of Brand's content from its streaming service while it investigates.