Russell Brand has denied the “very, very hurtful” sexual abuse allegations made against him.
In his first public interview since the comedian was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, Brand said it was “very very painful” for him to have been accused of “what I consider to be the most appalling crimes”.
“I’m aware that I put myself in an extremely vulnerable position by being very, very promiscuous, [but] that is not the type of conduct I endorse, and it’s certainly not how I would live now,” Brand told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in an interview released on YouTube.
Watch the video above.
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The allegations against Brand were first reported in September as part of a joint investigation conducted by the Times, the Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches.
Brand has since been questioned by the Metropolitan Police regarding nine alleged offences, with law enforcement confirming in December its investigation is ongoing.
BBC and Channel 4 are also understood to be conducting internal investigations into the time Brand spent working for them.
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”Of course, I deny any allegations of the kind that have been advanced – and what I have seen is the significance of family and the importance of beliefs that are transcendent of this,” Brand told Carlson.
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star also added that at the time the allegations were publicised, his then-12-week-old son was in the hospital.
He further claimed that the allegations were a “public concoction” against him.
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“My son was born with a heart condition and while this [the allegations being made] was happening he was undergoing heart surgery,” Brand claimed.
“He was 12 weeks old and I suppose what that did, Tucker, is it revealed that what we were experiencing was a public concoction.”
Brand explained he brought up his son – whom he shares with his wife Laura Brand alongside two daughters – in the interview as the public reaction to the allegations made him realise what is “important in life”.
He has previously spoken out about the allegations, however, this is the first time he has been publicly interviewed on the subject.
The allegations against the Get Him To The Greek star also include abusive, controlling and predatory behaviour, which Brand denies.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).