Nandy urges stronger media safeguards after reported Brand conviction

In the BBC’s 8 November 2026 report, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said people across the media industry had contacted her with allegations of abuse since she entered government. Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said institutional responses had changed little and suggested abuse was probably continuing, rather than presenting that assessment as an established finding.

The report said Russell Brand had been convicted the previous week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Nandy praised the BBC for joining the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and urged others to participate. The broadcaster said it had strengthened behavioural expectations following an independent culture review.

Nandy identified power imbalances and short-term contracts as obstacles for women reporting abuse in media and politics. The BBC also reiterated its apology to staff who felt unable to raise concerns about Brand during his 2006–2008 employment because of his influence, illustrating the reporting barriers discussed in the article.