Russell Brand could face criminal charges over historical sexual offences, as police have passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The comedian and actor, 49, has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse following a joint investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches programme, The Times and Sunday Times last year. Brand has strongly denied all allegations.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a file has been sent to the CPS for consideration. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: 'Our investigation continues and a file has now been passed to the CPS. We have a team of dedicated officers providing specialist support to the women who have come forward.'
Brand has been interviewed under caution on three separate occasions, including in January this year, relating to non-recent sexual offences alleged to have taken place between 2006 and 2013. He maintains his innocence, stating that all his sexual relationships were 'absolutely always consensual.'
The investigation, spanning over 13 months, involved officers from Operation Hydrant, a unit set up after the Jimmy Savile scandal. The CPS will now decide whether there is enough evidence to charge Brand and whether a trial is in the public interest.
In a video statement last year, Brand refuted the allegations, describing them as 'extremely egregious and aggressive attacks.' He added: 'What I seriously refute are these very, very serious criminal allegations.'
