Danniella Westbrook sparked outrage on Monday after defending “kind and funny” Russell Brand as he fights multiple allegations of rape, sexual assault and predatory behavior.
Brand is fighting to save his career following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches into the comedian’s behavior around women at the height of his mainstream TV fame.
The 48-year-old has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse over a seven-year period between 2006 and 2013, as well as allegations of controlling, abusive and predatory behavior.
And Westbrook was among a minority of supporters who publicly defended the father of two as he commented on a recent YouTube video denying any wrongdoing.
On Sunday, before the Dispatches expose aired at 9pm, she wrote: ‘It’s disgusting what is being said about you. Never in my life have I met a more helpful, friendly and funny person.
Speaking: Danniella Westbrook sparked outrage on Monday after defending ‘kind and funny’ Russell Brand as he fights allegations of rape, sexual assault and predatory behavior
Under fire: Brand fights to save his career after a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches into the comedian’s behavior around women
‘Just because you speak the truth and question the agenda of certain issues does not make you a target to lie about. I wish you the best, we all know the lies of it. Sending love, always buddy.”
The post sparked inevitable reactions, with commentators admitting they were surprised that a woman would so publicly support the comedian.
In response to Westbrook, one Instagram user wrote, “Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened to anyone else.
‘There is clear footage available showing how he has portrayed himself and it has been proven that he sexually harasses women. Why can’t that be enough to not accept his behavior?’ I’m shocked you’re here to support him.”
A second added: “And this is why our daughters are unsafe. Rape advocates.”
Reflecting on the row, a third wrote: ‘An abusive partner will be kind to family and friends, a murderer doesn’t kill everyone he meets.
“Just because someone is nice to others doesn’t mean those who come forward are liars. Have you ever heard of coercive control? Current? This is a ridiculous mentality.”
Another commented: ‘When will you realize that just because someone treats you kindly doesn’t mean they are incapable of offending others. People are complex.
Not happy: The post sparked inevitable reactions, with commentators admitting they were surprised that a woman would so publicly support the comedian
Tip of the iceberg: After Brand was hit with rape and sexual assault allegations, more women have come forward with allegations about the way he treated them, it has emerged
“His treatment of you and your thoughts about him do not override his treatment of his alleged victims. I read and heard what they had to say and I believe them. They are looking for nothing but the truth and an acknowledgment that this man hurt them.”
Westbrook wasn’t the only one to defend the comic: Jo Wood – the ex-wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood – also offered support on social media.
On Instagram she wrote: ‘Keep your frequency high @russellbrand because you are a threat!’
Elsewhere, photographer Benjamin Brown posted: ‘Isn’t it still ‘innocent until proven guilty’? So many people project their emotional responses, formulating opinions is one thing, but people forget this basic human right: INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
“Anyway, the truth you share will definitely get you in trouble, money corrupts most people and that is how the system is designed, good luck and God’s speed, I will pray for you.”
Getting involved: Westbrook wasn’t the only one to defend the comic, with Jo Wood – the ex-wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood – also offering support via social media
Concerns: BBC now also faces ‘urgent questions’ after claims Brand used his company-provided car service to pick up a 16-year-old girl from school
After Brand was hit with allegations of rape and sexual assault, more women have come forward with allegations about the way he treated them, it has emerged.
The Times and Sunday Times claim that ‘several women’ made secret allegations about Brand’s behavior in the early 2000s, in the wake of their joint investigation with Channel 4 published on Saturday.
The latest allegations – which, according to the newspaper, have not been investigated, but are now being ‘rigorously checked’.
The BBC is also now facing ‘urgent questions’ after it was claimed Brand used his company-provided car service to pick up the girl from school.
It comes as both BBC and Channel 4 have launched internal investigations into separate allegations of predatory behavior by Brand towards staff and the public during his time in service.
Channel 4 has since removed all programs linked to Brand from its website, including episodes of The Great British Bake Off and Big Brother’s Big Mouth in which he appeared, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Netflix has since been urged to remove its comedy special, titled Re:Birth, from its streaming catalog.
The maverick actor and stand-up comedian has strongly denied all allegations and blamed the ‘mainstream media’ for the ‘litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks’.