Arabic version: مفوض شرطة العاصمة يتوقع مزيداً من الادعاءات ضد براند

According to BBC News, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if more people came forward with allegations about Russell Brand after the entertainer was convicted of rape and sexual assault.

Brand, 51, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault. He was refused bail and is due to be sentenced on Monday, having been told by Mr Justice Bennathan to expect a “significant custodial term”.

Sir Mark said there were two ongoing rape investigations concerning Brand, who has been interviewed under caution in connection with those allegations. The Metropolitan Police said its investigation remains ongoing. Brand denied the allegations.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Sir Mark praised the women who came forward as brave. He also said reporting from the trial about the defence barrister’s comments on whether complainants had resisted, screamed or tried to leave came close to “victim blaming”. He said he would strongly support a proposed legal duty requiring judges to direct juries on rape myths and misconceptions in every rape trial.

Separately, TV production company Various Artists Ltd said it had asked Jack Bayles, its head of comedy, to step back while it considered the verdict and events surrounding the trial. Bayles said he did not remember the 2009 incident, but apologised if he had failed to recognise distress or intervene.