Ex-BBC boss who defended Russell Brand and then lost her job over Sachsgate is released from a confidentiality agreement so she can reveal EVERYTHING she knew about the under-fire star’s behavior
- Lesley Douglas has reportedly been released from a non-disclosure agreement
Russell Brand’s former boss at the BBC will have to cooperate with an investigation into his alleged misconduct.
Ex-Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas has reportedly been released from a confidentiality agreement so her role in the scandal can be investigated.
A BBC insider told the Sunday Times that director general Tim Davie “will want her to answer questions because the buck has stopped with Lesley.”
Davie’s predecessor Sir Mark Thompson will also be questioned about what he knew after it emerged he assured MPs that Brand’s show was not “an accident waiting to happen” during an appearance before the culture, media and sport committee shortly after Sachsgate.
Douglas, who personally gave Brand a series of high-profile BBC roles, reportedly ignored whistleblowers who complained in 2007 about Brand’s “aggression and disrespect.”
Russell Brand’s former boss at the BBC, ex-Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas, will have to cooperate with an investigation into his alleged misconduct. Pictured: Brand and Douglas at the MITS Awards in 2009
The allegations, which included claims that Brand urinated in a bottle in full view of a guest who “appeared to be underage,” were not included in the official Sachsgate reports.
The allegations, which included claims that Brand urinated in a bottle in full view of a guest who “appeared to be underage,” were not included in the official Sachsgate reports.
When first contacted by the Sunday Times earlier this month, Douglas referred the matter to her lawyers, who insisted that she “at no time encouraged, enabled and/or failed to take adequate steps” within its power in relation to Russell’s conduct. Brand she was aware of.”
Thompson’s spokesman said: ‘Mark Thompson’s record of taking immediate action in relation to Russell Brand’s totally appalling behavior on BBC radio is clear and well reported.
Like everyone else, Mark is shocked by Russell Brand’s alleged conduct that has recently come to light.”
Yesterday it emerged that Brand was interviewed under caution in 2014 over claims he assaulted a masseuse after she was hired to give him a £500 birthday massage.
Yesterday it emerged that Brand was interviewed under caution in 2014 over claims he assaulted a masseuse after she was hired to give him a £500 birthday massage.
The alleged victim reportedly told police she was ‘touched’ by Brand, 48, at a £5 million mansion in Oxfordshire, which she said traumatized her.
The claims, reported by The Sun on Sunday, are the first known example of the comedian being interviewed by police over allegations of assault.
The masseuse, who was allegedly hired to give Brand a massage in June 2014, contacted Thames Valley police. The comedian denied any wrongdoing in his interview and the case was dropped.
Police say Brand told them he felt uncomfortable when the woman arrived and decided to back out of the massage – at which point she was escorted out of the house and left.
He said it was friendly but awkward.
Brand claimed that CCTV supported his version of the story, and police later told Brand they were not pursuing the case.