Brand is expected to appear on May 2 at Westminster Magistrates' Court, per Deadline. However, with Brand living in the US, he could only be compelled to appear if he were detained by American police "under an international arrest warrant and The Home Office would have to submit a formal extradition request to Washington on behalf of the CPS to seek his return to Britain to stand trial."
Brand responded to the charges on X.
The investigation into Brand has been ongoing for 18 months and was taken up by law enforcers after journalists with Channel 4 and The Sunday Times reported allegations from women who claimed that they had been mistreated by Brand. The allegations go back to 1999 up through 2005. Police, per a statement, "issued a charge and requisition" to Brand.
His home is listed to be in Oxfordshire, South England, but he has been living in the US. In a recent video, he said "I don’t live in the United Kingdom any more because I personally have experienced how the media, government and judiciary — if you suddenly become an inconvenience — will find ways to attack and shut you down."
"The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers,” said DS Andy Furphy. “The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email at [email protected]."
Brand has repeatedly said that his sexual relationships with women were entirely consensual. He has also spoken out about his past lifestyle, which had an international playboy vibe.
He was outspoken on his concerns over the Covid pandemic and became a commentator during those years, building a following of over 1.4 million on Rumble after he was demonetized on YouTube following the reports from Channel 4 and The Sunday Times. A member of the UK Parliament also encouraged social media platforms to ban Brand.
He has publicly converted to Christianity in recent years and was a vocal Trump supporter, saying to vote Trump "if you care about freedom."
