Russell Brand told police he had “countless sexual encounters” — often with people he “just met” — in a video interview released by authorities shortly after his rape and sexual assault conviction on Thursday.
The footage, filmed Dec. 14, 2023, and obtained by Page Six, shows the comedian reading a prepared statement to investigators while his lawyer sat beside him.
“As I’ve repeatedly stated publicly, I led a very promiscuous life in the past, which I’ve spent years openly denouncing. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity.”
Brand, 51, called the 2023 Channel 4 and Times investigation into him “defamatory and fictitious,” and described the rape and sexual assault allegations as “invented or reimagined.”
“At present, I don’t recall the names of the complainants or meeting them. However, it’s entirely possible that I may have encountered them, and we may have engaged in consensual sexual activity, or physical contact.”
He noted he was being questioned about “events that allegedly took place between 14 and 16 years ago,” and said his past encounters with “interested members of the public” were “friendly, consensual and warm,” typically involving “physical contact at live shows, press events, junkets and book signings.”
“I did my best to be accessible and non-discriminatory and loving. I spent a lot of time at these events. I’ve shared kisses with hundreds of numbers of the public during press events.”
Brand also told police he “routinely made provocative jokes or comments” to people and would “on occasion, find reasons for leaving or asking partners in casual sexual encounters to leave shortly after the experience concluded.” He claimed his “consensual encounters” have been “unfavorably reframed decades later.”
At the close of the interview, Brand told officers, “I do not intend to respond to your questions without sufficient time to consider the information to answer accurately.”
The Verdict
On Thursday, following a three-week trial in London, Brand was convicted on one rape charge and three counts of sexual assault. He was found guilty of raping a woman at his former home in London in 2009. The victim said the two had consensual sex before Brand anally raped her and refused to stop.
He was found not guilty of two other rape charges and a count of attempted indecent assault.
Brand is now remanded in custody and faces what has been described as “significant” prison time. He will be sentenced on Monday.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Brand remains under investigation for two further rape accusations, including one made by a person who was 16 at the time.
The Met’s criminal investigation into Brand began in 2023, examining allegations spanning 1999 to 2009. He has denied all allegations, both before and throughout the trial.
“Consent is fundamental, essential, necessary, and indeed in many ways more important than sex itself,” Brand said during his testimony.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
