THE BBC’s director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston has been appointed to lead a review into Russell Brand’s time at the corporation, according to BBC News.
The review is said to look “at any complaints against Brand, what was known, and what was done”.
Brand is facing accusations of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse over a seven-year period at the height of his fame, after a joint investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme.
Following the initial claims, a BBC spokesperson said: “The documentary [on Channel 4] and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years.
“Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised.”
On Monday, The Times reported that a woman claims Brand used the BBC’s car service to pick her up from school when she was 16 so she could visit his home.
The broadcaster hopes to release an interim update on the review “within weeks”, BBC News added.
Director general Tim Davie has said the investigation will look into the use of “any cars used by the BBC at that time”.
In a long-arranged Q and A with staff on Tuesday, Davie was quizzed about how the corporation was responding following accusations about Brand’s time at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music between 2006 and 2008.
Davie said he hopes the review will give an “initial report in weeks, not months” and added that “the objective is to be totally transparent”.
He also said: “The review will also look at the position regarding any cars used by the BBC at that time – because that was obviously something that, again, in a powerful testimony, was mentioned.”
Earlier today the BBC removed some Brand content from its iPlayer and Sounds apps, saying it now "falls below public expectations”.
It comes after the remaining shows of Brand’s Bipolarisation tour were postponed and the Metropolitan Police said it had received a report of an alleged sexual assault in the wake of media allegations about the comedian and actor.
Anyone who feels affected by any of these issues can contact Rape Crisis Scotland on 08088 01 03 02.
