A TV producer accused of witnessing and laughing during a sexual assault by comedian Russell Brand has been asked to step back from his company, Various Artists Limited (VAL), while the firm reviews the situation. Jack Bayles, head of comedy at VAL, will not work on two BBC sitcoms during this period.
Brand was recently found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others. The trial heard that in 2009, Bayles and another member of Brand's team allegedly forced a female staffer to give Brand a massage. The woman testified that Brand thrust his head into her groin and that she complained to her Channel 4 bosses afterward.
VAL stated, "We have asked Jack Bayles to step back from the company while we consider the verdict and events surrounding the trial. Our thoughts, though, are primarily with every one of Brand's victims at this time." The BBC referred inquiries to VAL.
Bayles, a former associate of Brand's, has stated he is appalled by Brand's actions and has cooperated with the investigation. He told The Times, "I do not remember the incident that took place 17 years ago in 2009. But I acknowledge that I clearly missed something at the time and did not see nor recognise that it caused distress. For that I am sincerely sorry." He described the working environment at the time as "frantic, pressured and toxic" and Brand as "chaotic, dismissive and manipulated the people around him." Bayles added that he stopped working with Brand in 2010 and has had no contact since.
Bayles produced BBC sitcoms 'Such Brave Girls' and 'Push,' as well as the Channel 4 sitcom 'Catastrophe.' Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was cleared of two further rape charges and one allegation of attempted indecent assault.