BBC bosses have apologised to staff who felt unable to blow the whistle over Russell Brand’s behaviour while he worked there.
The broadcaster said eight complaints of misconduct had been considered – only two of which were made during the presenter’s time there.
It said it was of “great concern” some felt unable to raise concerns at the time, while also saying it was “clear” some presenters had been able to abuse their positions in the past.
Mr Brand, 49, vehemently denies any allegations of impropriety, previously saying all his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.
The apology came after an internal review of the BBC’s handling of complaints, a probe it said had cost £662,000 and involved interviews with 39 individuals.
It was carried out by Peter Johnston and focused on the comedian’s work for 6 Music and Radio 2 between 2006 and 2008.
He found there were many staff who felt “unable to raise” concerns and believed Brand “would always get his way and therefore they stayed silent”.
Mr Johnston said the “culture of the time undoubtedly influenced what was acceptable/tolerated” but “the processes for raising concerns were also not as developed as they are now”.
The BBC has since improved these processes since, he said.
Mr Brand, a father-of-three who was once married to American singer and TV personality Katy Perry, 40, joined the BBC as a regular presenter for 6 Music in April 2006 and later Radio 2. He had a regular show on the station until he left in 2008 over a “serious breach” when he made a prank call to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs, who died in 2016 aged 86.
His hiring was “understood (by those keen to hire him) to be a decision which carried editorial risks, given the nature of his comedy performances and material, but was in line with the strategy of the station at the time” – which was to attract younger audiences and bring in presenters with profile, the review found.
Mr Brand was asked to participate in the review, Mr Johnston said, “but did not accept the invitation”.
The Essex-born comedian is subject to an ongoing police investigation after being accused by four women of sexual assaults and abuse between 2006 and 2013.
The BBC said it acknowledges “that Russell Brand categorically denies all public allegations made against him”.
In a statement the broadcaster added: “When allegations were raised about Russell Brand in 2023, relating to his work at the BBC, it was important that this was looked into methodically. This work has been conducted with the greatest care.
“We want to thank the individuals who have participated, as we know that it has not been easy to speak out about some of the issues the review addresses.
“The review considered eight complaints of misconduct about Russell Brand, only two of which were made while he was engaged by the BBC, one formally and one informally. It is of great concern that some of these individuals felt unable to raise concerns about Russell Brand’s behaviour at the time, and the BBC has apologised to them as part of this review.
“It is also clear that there were compliance inadequacies on some of Russell Brand’s Radio 2 shows which led to content being aired that would not be broadcast today. Russell Brand left the BBC in 2008 following a high-profile editorial breach.
“As has been reported, there is an ongoing police investigation into Russell Brand. The BBC has been in contact with the Metropolitan police throughout the review and they have seen the report.”
