Sir Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, has called for anyone with fresh allegations against the convicted rapist Russell Brand to come forward, saying he would not be surprised if 'many more' alleged victims emerged following the former comedian's conviction for rape and sexual assault.
Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The jury cleared him of two other counts of rape and one attempted indecent assault.
The charges and conviction followed a 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary and reports in The Sunday Times and The Times that aired allegations against him.
One of the allegations under investigation involves a 16-year-old schoolgirl. Files have been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.
He added that high-profile cases often led to an “upsurge” in reporting, giving victims confidence to speak up about attackers in their cases.
The commissioner said some of what he heard reported from the trial was “getting very close to victim blaming”. He voiced support for the Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman, who wants a legal duty in the Courts and Tribunals Bill requiring judges to issue directions to juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.
His comments were echoed by Labour MP and former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, who said the trial was a “rare insight for the public into the kind of things that get said during rape trials” and the myths and stereotypes around women that were part of the defence.
Dorothy Byrne, a former head of news at Channel 4, warned of a power disparity between high-profile talent and young staff on short-term contracts, which she said often prevented victims from speaking out because of fear of professional retaliation.
Brand will be sentenced on Monday at the same court and is expected to face a lengthy jail term.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The conviction of a globally recognised celebrity like Russell Brand and the Met commissioner's direct call to action could be a watershed moment for reporting of historical sexual abuse in the UK.
- The debate over "rape myths" in the courtroom, and Rowley's strong support for a legal duty to challenge them, signals a potential shift in how the justice system treats victims.
- The confirmation of an active police investigation into further allegations, including one involving a minor, demonstrates the seriousness and scope of the case.
Background
Russell Brand rose to fame as a comedian and television presenter in the 2000s. In September 2023, an investigation by journalists from The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches published allegations that he had raped, sexually assaulted, and emotionally abused women over a period of years. The revelations prompted a police investigation and, ultimately, the charges for which he was convicted in November 2026. The trial at Southwark Crown Court heard evidence from six women about assaults that occurred between 2004 and 2009.
Key Perspectives
Sir Mark Rowley (Metropolitan Police Commissioner): Encourages victims of Brand to come forward and supports legal reform on rape myths, insisting there is no single way a victim should behave.
Claire Waxman (Victims' Commissioner for London): Wants legislation mandating judges to direct juries on rape myths in every trial.
Jess Phillips (Labour MP): States the trial provided a rare public insight into the myths and stereotypes used in trials.
Dorothy Byrne (Former Channel 4 executive): Argues the power imbalance in the media industry between talent and junior staff silences victims.
What to Watch
- The sentence handed down to Russell Brand on Monday, and the judge's remarks.
- The progress of the two fresh rape investigations being conducted by the Metropolitan Police.
- Whether the case triggers a wave of new reporting, as Sir Mark Rowley predicted.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe Met Police chief urged potential victims of Russell Brand to come forward after his rape conviction.World news | The Guardian: “The head of Scotland Yard has called for anyone with fresh allegations against the convicted rapist Russell Brand to come forward.”
- SupportedRowley said he “clearly wouldn’t be surprised” if more alleged victims came forward.World news | The Guardian: “He later added on BBC Breakfast: “I clearly wouldn’t be surprised if many more came forward.””
- SupportedPolice are investigating two further rape allegations against Brand.World news | The Guardian: “Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations and the Met has submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service.”
- SupportedBrand was convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court.The Independent UK: “Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.”
- SupportedOne allegation under investigation involves a 16-year-old schoolgirl.The Independent UK: “Following his conviction, police revealed Brand is under investigation for two more alleged rapes, including of a 16-year-old schoolgirl.”
- SupportedThe Met has submitted files on the allegations to the Crown Prosecution Service.World news | The Guardian: “Brand is under investigation for two further rape allegations and the Met has submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service.”
- SupportedThe charges and conviction followed the 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary and reports in The Times and The Sunday Times that aired allegations against Brand.World news | The Guardian: “The charges and ultimate conviction followed a 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary and reports in the Times and Sunday Times that aired allegations against him.”
- SupportedRowley said high-profile cases often led to an upsurge in reporting and gave victims confidence to speak up.The Independent UK: “He added high-profile cases did often lead to an “upsurge” in reporting because it gave victims confidence to speak up about attackers in their cases.”
- SupportedRowley said some reporting from Brand’s trial was “getting very close to victim blaming”.The Independent UK: “Meanwhile, Sir Mark said some of what he heard reported from Brand’s trial was “getting very close to victim blaming”.”
- SupportedRowley voiced support for Claire Waxman’s proposal for a legal duty requiring judges to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.World news | The Guardian: “Asked if he would support the victims’ commissioner, Claire Waxman, who wants the courts and tribunals bill to include a legal duty for judges to issue directions to juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial, Rowley said: “I strongly support Claire.””
- SupportedJess Phillips called the trial a “rare insight for the public into the kind of things that get said during rape trials”.World news | The Guardian: “His comments echoed those of Jess Phillips, a Labour MP and former safeguarding minister, who said the trial was a “rare insight for the public into the kind of things that get said during rape trials”.”
- SupportedBrand will be sentenced at the same court on Monday and is expected to face a lengthy jail term.The Independent UK: “The shamed comedian-turned-conspiracy theorist will spend the weekend in custody before he returns to the same court on Monday to learn his prison sentence.”