BBC critiques Russell Brand’s time at company as YouTube demonetises content material
T
he BBC has introduced a overview into Russell Brand’s time on the company amid the rape and sexual assault allegations made towards the comic.
The broadcaster additionally stated on Tuesday that it was eradicating some content material that includes the 48-year-old from its iPlayer and Sounds apps which “now falls below public expectations”.
An episode of comedy panel present QI and a Joe Wicks podcast, each that includes Brand as a visitor, have been eliminated, the PA news company understands.
YouTube had earlier introduced that the Google-owned firm has stopped Brand creating wealth on its platform as a result of he was “violating” its “creator responsibility policy”.
Brand has strongly denied the allegations, which additionally embody claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.
A spokesperson for podcasting platform Acast confirmed to PA on Tuesday that ads had been turned off “immediately” for Brand’s Under The Skin podcast following the allegations.
In a long-arranged Q and A with BBC workers on Tuesday, the company’s director common Tim Davie was quizzed about the way it was responding following accusations about Brand’s time on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music between 2006 and 2008.
The Times reported on Monday {that a} lady claims Brand used the BBC’s automotive service to select her up from college when she was 16 so she might go to his dwelling.
Mr Davie stated he hopes a overview, led by BBC’s director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, will give an “initial report in weeks, not months” and added that “the objective is to be totally transparent”.
He additionally stated: “The review will also look at the position regarding any cars used by the BBC at that time – because that was obviously something that, again, in a powerful testimony, was mentioned.”
The news comes after the remaining reveals of Brand’s Bipolarisation tour had been postponed and the Metropolitan Police stated it had acquired a report of an alleged sexual assault within the wake of media allegations.
According to Companies House, Brand on Tuesday resigned as a director of each performing arts enterprise One Arm Bandit and filming firm Mayfair Film Partnership.
Mr Davie has stated the broadcasting business must be “very vigilant” following questions being raised in regards to the wider TV business – which he additionally stated had “faced significant” energy imbalance points up to now.
It comes because the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage has written to the BBC, Channel 4 and TikTok to request additional particulars on what actions they’re taking in response to the allegations – and to GB News in relation to their protection of the claims.
The letters additionally requested updates on the investigation being performed by Banijay UK, which purchased Endemol, the corporate commissioned by Channel 4 to supply the Big Brother spin-off reveals Brand hosted, into his behaviour whereas he was engaged on its programmes.
Mr Davie additionally stated: “I do think we’re in a different place, over 15 years. When I listened back, frankly, to some of those broadcasts I think, that is just completely unacceptable. What led to that being on air?
“I just look at that stuff and I say there is no way I will listen to that, there’s no way I accept it. We have to be clear about that together, that we will not accept that.”
Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was on the top of his fame and dealing for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood movies, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.
In the documentary, footage was proven of the actor making feedback about feminine BBC workers on his radio present.
Brand’s YouTube account, which has 6.6 million subscribers, has been suspended from YouTube’s Partner account “following serious allegations against the creator”, that means the channel is now not capable of generate profits from promoting on the platform.
In a press release, YouTube stated the choice utilized to all channels which may be “owned or operated” by Brand, including: “If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.”
Brand nonetheless has a presence on video platform Rumble, the place his channel has 1.4 million followers and he hosts a weekly stay present at 5pm BST, however there was no new episode on Monday.
His most up-to-date video on Rumble is the quick clip from Friday denying the allegations and saying he has been “promiscuous” however that each one of his relationships have been “consensual”.
Dame Caroline has requested TikTok’s director of presidency relations, Theo Bertram, whether or not Brand might monetise his posts on the video sharing platform, the place he has 2.3 million followers.
The committee chairwoman additionally requested “what the platform is doing to ensure that creators are not able to use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour”.
Dame Caroline additionally wrote to GB News chief govt Angelos Frangopoulos over presenter Beverley Turner supporting Brand in a tweet over the weekend and defending him on her present on Monday morning.
She acknowledged Turner was challenged on the programme however remained “concerned that having a presenter so clearly supporting an individual who is the subject of intense media coverage, including seeking their appearance on the show, undermines any perception of due impartiality in the broadcasting”.