Farage Appeared on Russell Brand's Podcast Nine Months After Police Investigation Began

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, appeared as a guest on Russell Brand's online show in July 2024, nine months after police had investigated Brand over sexual assault allegations, The Guardian reported. The Guardian said the appearance was on Brand's US podcast.

The allegations became public in September 2023, when a number of women accused Brand of sexual assault in a joint investigation by the Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4. Brand was interviewed under caution, a formal police interview, that autumn. He was charged in April 2025 and has since been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.

Farage's appearance therefore came after the allegations had been made public but before the charge. He had already commented on the allegations on GB News, the television channel, in September 2023. He and Brand had also clashed in 2014 on Question Time, the BBC's televised political debate.

The July 2024 episode featured Farage alongside the US commentators Dan Bongino and Charlie Kirk. During it, Farage suggested that the West had provoked Vladimir Putin into the war in Ukraine.

Farage has criticised the Labour Party for cosying up to and promoting Brand a decade ago. A spokesperson for Farage said Nigel regrets his appearance on Brand's show and that his thoughts are with the victims.

Reform sources told the Guardian that the appearance was not planned, and that Farage was pulled into the room during a visit to the United States.