Russell Brand issues statement after he's charged with rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand has issued a statement via his X account after he was charged with numerous sexual assault charges, including rape and indecent assault against four alleged victims, police have said. The 50-year-old star will now face a court accused of one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women.

In the video which he captioned "my response" he began by rambling about the justice system describing it as "general context".

"I've always told you guys, when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family, I was a fool man. I was a fool before I lived in the light the Lord...But what I never was, was a rapist. I've never engaged in non consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking at my eyes. I want to thank all of you for your continuing support. I want to let you know that our show will be on rumble on Monday. Thanks for your support there. And of course, I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that. In the entire new lot stay free. And we will be continuing to discuss this matter. Praise the Lord," he concluded.

The move to charge the star comes after detectives launched an investigation into his behaviour in September 2023 after receiving several allegations following reporting by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times. Now the Metropolitan Police have announced that Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London. He has also been charged with indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 - both alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London.

Brand, now a married father of two, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 2. Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with several sexual offences. "We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.

"We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault. These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005 involving four women. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a first hearing on Friday, May 2 2025. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Scotland Yard detectives have been working on the investigation with officers from Operation Hydrant, a specialist police unit set up after the Jimmy Savile scandal to respond to "non-recent" sexual offence allegations. Following the decision to charge Russell Brand, Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy from the Metropolitan Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers. The Met's investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at CIT@met.police.uk.

"Support is also available by contacting the independent charity Rape Crisis."