The BBC and Channel 4 have rightly launched an investigation into Russell Brand – it must be thorough and urgent
Brand damage
LIKE pedophile predator Jimmy Savile, Russell Brand hid his nature from the public eye.
Savile – always obviously strange – remained a TV favorite for decades because the public thought he was a harmless eccentric, without finding any evidence of what a monster he really was.
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And although the serious allegations Brand denies still fall far short of Savile’s many crimes, the similarities in the two BBC stars’ cases are striking.
Once again, a rich, charismatic star is accused of abusing his power for sexual purposes.
And as with Savile, viewers and fans were so blinded by Brand’s flamboyance and occasional wit that they overlooked the fact that he was often an overtly creepy misogynist.
But there is no excuse for anyone in charge at the BBC or Channel 4 knowing or suspecting that their private behavior went far beyond that.
In Savile’s case, the company protected its “talent” despite widespread suspicions from employees. Did it do that again?
Some of the nasty public incidents Brand got away with should have caused great concern.
Not least a radio interview with Savile himself, in which Brand “joked” that he would send his female assistant naked to do his bidding.
Former BBC1 boss Lorraine Heggessey said: “He was allowed to say the unspeakable, do the unthinkable and always got away with it.”
Behind the scenes, his behavior was reportedly far worse. Some junior staff were horrified.
What did the bosses know? As Secretary of State James Cleverly says, the entertainment industry has questions to answer.
The BBC still refuses to say whether managers ignored staff complaints.
Channel 4 has found no written evidence of this.
Both public broadcasters have rightly launched investigations. They must be thorough – and they are urgent.
Given the serious allegations of rape and sexual assault, the current excuses will not be enough.
Women deleted
HOW outrageous that the General Medical Council has left women out of its maternity and menopause guidelines.
Only women can experience both, as an organization that regulates doctors should know.
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But bright clowns in the GMC swapped mothers for “parents” and women for “menopausal colleagues.” Why?
Because they would rather risk alienating legions of female employees than a single trans man or the ever-militant trans community.
And above all, because no one in power really hits back.
The Tories talk about a good anti-woke game. But they have been in power for 13 years.
Why haven’t they done anything to prevent the spread?