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The Metropolitan Police has said it has received \u2018a number of allegations of sexual assault in London\u2019 following news reports about comedian Russell Brand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Detectives have now launched an investigation into allegations of past sexual offences.<\/p>\n It comes after a lengthy investigation into the Get Him to the Greek actor by Channel 4 and The Times, which made allegations public in a Dispatches special one week ago.<\/p>\n Brand has denied allegations of rape, sexual assault, and controlling behaviour over a seven-year period at the height of his fame, saying that while he was \u2018promiscuous\u2019 at the time, any encounters were \u2018consensual\u2019.<\/p>\n However, more alleged victims have come forward over recent days, with one woman saying she was just 16 when Brand sexually assaulted her.<\/p>\n The Met has also received a number of allegations of sexual offences committed elsewhere in the country and will investigate these.<\/p>\n These offences are all non-recent.<\/p>\n To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk’s <\/strong>visit\u00a0Metro’s London news hub.<\/em><\/p>\n Officers will be offering specialist support to all of the women who have made allegations.<\/p>\n The investigation is being carried out by detectives in the Met\u2019s Central Specialist Crime Command, led by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy.<\/p>\n Supt Furphy said: \u2018We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us.<\/p>\n \u2018We understand it can feel like a difficult step to take and I want to reassure that we have a team of specialist officers available to advise and support.\u2019<\/p>\n There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.<\/p>\n Anyone who wants to report an offence should contact police on 101, but dial 999 in an emergency.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Brand\u2019s career has taken a series of knocks since allegations came to light.<\/p>\n His UK and Australian\u00a0tours have been cancelled,\u00a0he has been dropped by his management, and the BBC and Channel 4 have launched\u00a0their own investigations\u00a0into his behaviour while working on their shows.<\/p>\n Brand stepped down from his two businesses,\u00a0had his YouTube channel demonetised, and celebrity pals have cut ties.<\/p>\n Those who were once close to Brand have also spoken out, with a former classmate accusing him of \u2018groping\u2019 a female classmate under what he called a \u2018cloak of love\u2019 when attending a performing arts college in the 1990s.<\/p>\n In his latest address to his online followers, Brand thanked his community for their \u2018support\u2019.<\/p>\n Taking to social media over the weekend to break his silence after lying low, the controversial podcaster said the week since the claims were published had been \u2018extraordinary\u2019 and \u2018distressing\u2019.<\/p>\n He said: \u2018I thank you very much for your support and for questioning the information that you\u2019ve been presented with.\u2019<\/p>\n Brand also promoted his platform on Rumble \u2013 a right-wing, online video platform that refused to follow YouTube in blocking the comedian from advertising revenue on its site.<\/p>\n He described the streaming site as having made a \u2018clear commitment to free speech\u2019.<\/p>\n Brand added that he never imagined that he would need his followers\u2019 support as much as he does now.<\/p>\n \u2018And I need your support now, more than ever, and more than I ever imagined I would,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n \u2018So, follow me, support our channel if you can, if it\u2019s within your means, but more important than any of that is that you please, if you can, stay free.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/i>Latest London news<\/h2>\n
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