A massage therapist who accused Russell Brand of assault is reportedly bound by a decade-old gagging order that prevents her from discussing the allegations with police or her own family. The injunction against Szilvia Berki, obtained by Brand and his then-girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith, was unearthed and described as a "gross breach of freedom of expression," sparking calls for a parliamentary inquiry.
Berki, 43, was hired in June 2014 to provide a massage for Brand at Goldsmith's mansion near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, on Brand's birthday. The session, for which Berki was to be paid £500, reportedly did not occur, and Berki later filed a complaint with Thames Valley Police. She alleged that she was treated like a prostitute, pushed by Brand, and left terrified after Goldsmith's dog jumped at her.
Brand and Goldsmith denied the claims, stating they had requested a standard massage. An initial police investigation was dropped. However, Berki continued to post about the incident on social media. In October 2015, Brand and Goldsmith obtained an anti-harassment order that also silenced Berki indefinitely. This order prohibited her from communicating any information about her visit to Goldsmith's home or making allegations that Brand or Goldsmith committed criminal offenses against her.
Breaching the order could result in contempt of court charges. Berki was also ordered to pay £50,000 in legal costs. She has since made three unsuccessful attempts to appeal the order. While Goldsmith has reportedly indicated a willingness to vary the injunction to allow Berki to contact the police again, this would appear to require Brand's approval. The two have not spoken since 2014.
Media lawyer Mark Stephens criticized the order as a "gross breach of freedom of expression." Dan Neidle, who uncovered the injunction, suggested that parliamentary committees could grant Berki immunity if she were asked to give evidence, thereby circumventing the restrictions.