An anonymous claimant has filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against Russell Brand in London's High Court, marking the first known legal action against him in the United Kingdom.
The personal injury case, filed on February 6 and referenced as "AGX v Brand," seeks damages related to sexual abuse allegations. The lawsuit comes after London's Metropolitan Police submitted evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service following a 13-month investigation.
In September 2023, a joint investigation by The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches revealed accusations from four women who alleged rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse by Brand between 2006 and 2013. Brand, 49, has consistently denied all allegations, claiming they are part of an "establishment smear campaign" against him.
The former comedian and broadcaster recently relocated with his family from Oxfordshire to Florida, USA. This move could potentially complicate legal proceedings if UK prosecutors decide to pursue charges, as it would require a formal extradition request from the Home Office to Washington.
Brand currently faces separate civil sexual assault claims in the United States, where a woman accused him of inappropriate exposure during the filming of "Arthur" in 2010, an allegation he denies.
The BBC recently issued an apology regarding Brand's conduct during his tenure as a radio presenter from 2006 to 2008, acknowledging a "culture of silence" around his behavior due to his influential status at the time.
Metropolitan Police have interviewed Brand under caution three times as part of their investigation. If the Crown Prosecution Service authorizes charges while Brand remains in the US, he could face detention under an international arrest warrant.