The BBC have apologised to staff over their handling of allegations made against comedian Russell Brand during his time working for the broadcaster between 2006 and 2008.
According to the broadcaster, eight complaints of sexual misconduct were made against Brand, with only two of them being made during his time there. It has since been accepted that it was "clear" that some presenters felt they were able to abuse their positions in the past.
This comes after an internal review into the BBC's handling of its complaints was released, revealing that these complaints had cost £662,000 and involved interviews with 39 people, from Brand's time working with the broadcaster.
Russell Brand has always strenuously denied all allegations against him, having insisted that all of his sexual relationships were "absolutely always consensual".
Brand had also been accused of sexual assault and abuse by four women between 2006 and 2013, after a joint investigation was carried out by Channel Four's Dispatches, The Times, and Sunday Times, published in 2023.
Now, Peter Johnson. BBC director of editorial complaints and reviews, who carried out this investigation, said that it was found that many staff felt "unable to raise" concerns concerning Brand's behaviour.
They believed that the comic "would always get his way and therefore stayed silent".
Mr Johnston said the "culture of the time undoubtedly influenced what was acceptable/tolerated" but that "the processes for raising concerns were also not as developed as they are now".
He also added that Brand was invited to take part in this review, but declined the offer.
Such reports looked into by the review, including allegations that Brand had urinated "into cups or bottles while in the studio, throwing objects, allegations of sex on the premises including with competition winners, and exposure while in the studio in front of staff and guests".
One woman who was working in the same building as the BBC's office in LA at the time, claimed that Russell Brand flashed her in 2008, and then laughed about it on his radio show, another claim that was investigated by the BBC.
Peter Johnston has revealed that the BBC have since improved their processes.
Responding to this report, the BBC said that "it was important that this was looked into methodically" and the review had been "conducted with the greatest care".
They continued: "We want to thank the individuals who have participated, as we know that it has not been easy to speak out about some of the issues the review addresses.
"The review considered eight complaints of misconduct about Russell Brand, only two of which were made while he was engaged by the BBC, one formally and one informally. It is of great concern that some of these individuals felt unable to raise concerns about Russell Brand's behaviour at the time, and the BBC has apologised to them as part of this review".
"It is also clear that there were compliance inadequacies on some of Russell Brand's Radio 2 shows which led to content being aired that would not be broadcast today. Russell Brand left the BBC in 2008 following a high-profile editorial breach".
This "editorial breach" referred to, saw Brand leave the BBC, following a controversial phone call to Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs, which was made while Brand was live on BBC radio, alongside Jonathan Ross.
The BBC also said that they had been in touch with the Metropolitan Police throughout this review into their handling of the allegations against Brand.
"The BBC acknowledges that Russell Brand categorically denies all public allegations made against him", they added.
Calling these complaints "horrendous", Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy commented: "As is the fact that staff felt unable to raise concerns because they did not think that they would be believed or taken seriously".
Nandy also called on the BBC to take action to reassure staff and the public, that allegations of this nature will be taken seriously.
"Power imbalances and a perception that certain stars cannot be challenged are sadly not unique to this case", she said.
Another investigation launched by Channel Four had found no evidence to indicate that bosses were even aware of any allegations made against Brand.
Last November, the Met Police said that a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, where a man in his 40s was interviewed three times by officers, concerning allegations of sexual misconduct.
Russell Brand's representatives have yet to comment on the matter.
