Ex-BBC boss who championed Russell Brand and then lost her job over Sachsgate is released
Ex-BBC boss who championed Russell Brand and then lost her job over Sachsgate is released from a confidentiality agreement so she can reveal ALL about what she knew of the under-fire star’s behaviour
- Lesley Douglas has reportedly been freed from a confidentiality agreement
Russell Brand’s former boss at the BBC will be required to cooperate with an investigation into his alleged wrongdoing.
Ex-Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas has reportedly been freed from a confidentiality agreement so her role in the scandal can be examined.
A BBC insider told the Sunday Times that director general Tim Davie ‘will want her to have to answer questions, because the buck stopped with Lesley.’
Davie’s predecessor Sir Mark Thompson will also be quizzed about what he knew after it emerged that he reassured 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 string of high-profile BBC roles, allegedly ignored whistleblowers who complained of Brand’s ‘aggression and disrespect’ in 2007.
Russell Brand ’s former boss at the BBC, ex-Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas, will be required to cooperate with an investigation into his alleged wrongdoing. Pictured: Brand and Douglas at the MITS awards in 2009
The allegations, which included claims that Brand urinated into a bottle in full view of a guest who ‘appeared to be a minor’, were not included in the official Sachsgate reports
The allegations, which included claims that Brand urinated into a bottle in full view of a guest who ‘appeared to be a minor’, were not included in the official Sachsgate reports.
When initially approached by the Sunday Times earlier this month, Douglas referred the matter to her lawyers who insisted she ‘did not at any time encourage, enable and/or fail herself to take any adequate steps within her power with regard to the conduct of Russell Brand of which she was aware.’
Thompson’s spokesman said: ‘Mark Thompson’s record in taking immediate action in respect to completely appalling behaviour by Russell Brand on BBC radio is clear and has been well reported on.
Like everyone, Mark is horrified by the alleged behaviours of Russell Brand that have 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 £5million mansion in Oxfordshire, which she said traumatised her.
The claims, reported by The Sun on Sunday, are the first known instance of the comedian being interviewed by police over assault allegations.
The masseuse, who was reportedly 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 was uneasy when the woman arrived and decided to back out of the massage – and was then escorted out of the house and left.
He said it was friendly but awkward.
Brand claimed CCTV supported his version of the story, and the police told Brand later they were not pursuing the matter.