The Story

This episode was first published in September 2023

This episode contains detailed allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Following an exclusive investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches we hear how the comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.

Journalists Rosamund Urwin and Charlotte Wace reveal the harrowing stories of two of Brand’s alleged victims.

Russell Brand strongly denies all the allegations.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:
Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent, The Sunday Times.
Charlotte Wace, investigations correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Will Roe and Edward Drummond
Read more:
Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse
Russell Brand told the world who he was for decades
Listen further: The Trial of Russell Brand
Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Universal Pictures UK, ITV News, ITV, Endemol, Russell Brand YouTube Channel, CBS.
Photo: Getty image
Helplines:
Rape Crisis England & Wales
Rape Crisis Scotland
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, it emerged that an unnamed celebrity had asked a court for anonymity, and an injunction to stop two news outlets airing allegations that he abused his fame to prey on young women. The request was partly made on mental health grounds - he said he’d kill himself ‘at the earliest opportunity’ if publication went ahead. It’s prompted a storm of speculation about who the man is, and sparked a debate on press freedom and responsibility. So will the claims be published and will the man - who denies the allegations - be revealed?

This podcast contains discussions around suicide.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Pia Sarma, editorial legal director at Times Media and deputy general counsel at News UK.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producer: Olivia Case.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Celebrity ‘suicide’ injunction could open floodgates, warns Ian Hislop
Further listening: How the rich and powerful try to intimidate the press
Clips: TalkTV, Times Radio, Sky, Channel 4, Al Jazeera.
Photo: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The comedian and Hollywood actor Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court.

The trial itself followed an investigation by The Times and The Sunday Times, along with Channel 4's Dispatches.

In this episode of our sister podcast, The Trial of Russell Brand, the reporters who led that investigation join Luke Jones to describe being in court as the jury delivered its verdict.

Watch or listen to The Trial of Russell Brand every weekday on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or listen on Spotify. Follow the show to never miss an episode.

Send us your questions: investigates.podcasts@thetimes.com
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The results of Tuesday’s US midterm elections are in – and the results are astounding. Democrats flipped some historic red states to gain control of Congress, in a bruising rebuke to Donald Trump. But what does this stunning victory mean for the Democrats? And who could run for president in 2028? We asked our reporters across the US after they watched the results come in.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:
David Charter, assistant editor in the US, The Times.
George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.
Susie Coen, US correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Micaela Arneson, Shabnam Grewal.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Will Trump be impeached? What happens now Democrats have won the midterms
Further listening: US midterms: Can the Democrats flip Texas?
Clips: ABC, NBC, BBC, The Guardian, Fox News, James Talarico via Facebook, C-SPAN, CNN.
Photo: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, cryptocurrency exchange Binance was hacked, affecting a record £4.7bn of assets. While North Korea denies being behind the attack, investigators say clues point to the actions of the rogue state. How did the country develop into a hacking superpower, and as cyber crime escalates, how can we protect ourselves?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:
Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations, University of Oxford, and founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ.
Host: Manveen Rana
Producers: Robyn Simon and Olivia Case.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: Binance heist: investors pull out $4.5bn after hackers’ attack
Further listening: Unit 29155: The Russian cyberagency targeting Britain
Photo: Getty Images.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.