Russell Brand tells trial 'consent is more important than sex'

Russell Brand told Southwark Crown Court that “consent is more important than sex itself,” insisting he has never raped or sexually assaulted a woman. The 51-year-old former comedian began giving evidence on Wednesday, describing it as “devastating” when he was first accused in a 2023 TV documentary and related press coverage. When asked by his barrister, Ian Winter KC, about allegations including forcing a woman into a hotel room bed, assaulting radio and TV workers, raping a young fan, and dragging a woman into a toilet to force sexual activity, Brand repeatedly answered “no.” He said reports from the Sunday Times, The Times and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary were “devastating,” and claimed he hasn’t been able to persuade anyone to testify for him. Six women have accused him in allegations dated 1999 to 2009.