Latest news with #Channel4Dispatches
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Prince William wants to use Duchy of Cornwall to 'make people's lives better'
The Prince of Wales inherited the role of Duke of Cornwall when his father became King in 2022 and hopes to transform the ancient Duchy of Cornwall estate into a force for social change Prince William has set out his vision to transform the 700-year-old Duchy of Cornwall into a force for social change. The Prince, who inherited the role of Duke of Cornwall when his father became King in 2022, wants to use the ancient estate "to make people's lives better." On a recent visit to Duchy farmland on Dartmoor, William, 42, vowed: "We're not the traditional landowner - we want to be more than that." The estate - spanning 128,494 acres from rural Devon to inner-city London - was originally set up to generate private income for the royal family. But William is determined to re-write the rule book, instead using his title to push for "social change." He added: 'The Duchy has been a positive force for good, but we can do so much more. I think the key thing is, it's about not losing the important community and historical links of the Duchy. But it's also about making sure we're building on and enhancing, modernising the Duchy. We're going to modernise it without losing its key spirit of community.' The Prince's priorities range from restoring rivers to ending homelessness, supporting the mental health of farmers and arranging get-togethers to combat rural loneliness. He has even launched a new strap-line: "Positive impact for people, places and planet." Unlike previous generations, William has a more hands-on approach and visits part of the estate once every four to six weeks. His trips are usually private and kept quiet by loyal locals who are used to royal comings and goings. In keeping with a more modern approach, rural director of the Duchy, Matthew Morris, revealed how employees "no longer feel the need to put on a tie when the Duke of Cornwall is in town." And William shared how he communicates with the estate's more than 150 staff via WhatsApp and asks questions over social media to keep in the loop. When the Prince becomes King, the Duchy of Cornwall title will pass to his eldest son Prince George. The estate was established by Edward III in 1337 to generate private income for his then seven-year-old heir and takes in 20 counties across England. Despite being called the Duchy of Cornwall, its largest landholdings are actually in Devon. William shared his vision after the property and land empire, as well as the King's estate, the Duchy of Lancaster, were investigated by a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary: The King, The Prince & Their Secret Millions. In the 2024 programme, it was revealed how the the Duchy of Cornwall is profiting from public services. In 2017, it billed Devon county council £300,000 in a 21-year rental deal for a primary school on Dartmoor. Other deals include charging a primary school near Bath £60,000 for a 25-year lease and £189,000 to a secondary school in Cornwall over 30 years to use a farmhouse. The Duchy of Cornwall said it is "a private estate with a commercial imperative... committed to restoring the natural environment." The Duchy of Lancaster said it "operates as a commercial company" and "complies with all relevant UK legislation."
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Russell Brand is represented by Kevin Spacey's lawyer in court as he faces rape and sex assault charges relating to four women
Russell Brand is being represented by Kevin Spacey 's lawyer in court as he faces rape and sexual assault charges relating to four women. The comedian and actor is being represented by Oliver Schneider-Sikorsky, who successfully defended the Hollywood actor Spacey against sex assault allegations in 2023. Brand arrived alongside Mr Schneider-Sikorsky at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning wearing gold rimmed sunglasses, a black shirt and trousers. At least six police officers had to intervene as the defendant was immediately surrounded. As he queued for security inside the court, Brand was seen touching a lawyer's shoulder seemingly to check they were ok. The 49-year-old was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. The charges came following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023 in which several women accused him of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. In a video previously posted on his X account, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London. The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman's breasts without her consent. He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by 'grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet', and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 - both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London. Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, left the role after his on-air prank, now known as Sachsgate, when he left a 'lewd' voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter. He also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties. The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Russell Brand granted bail after court hears comedian ‘raped woman in hotel room'
Russell Brand has been granted bail after a court heard he allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference. The comedian and actor appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday after flying back to the UK from the US for the hearing. The 49-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood his bail conditions during the short hearing. Brand, wearing an open shirt and jeans and holding his sunglasses behind his back, listened intently to the details of the charges as he sat in the dock. He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. The court heard that Brand allegedly raped a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference. Following a theatrical event in Bournemouth in 1999, it is alleged that while the woman went to the bathroom, Brand removed some of his clothing and later pushed her on the bed, removed her underwear and raped her. The court heard another of Brand's alleged victims, who accuses him of indecent assault, is alleged to have been grabbed by her forearm by the actor as he attempted to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in 2001. The court heard the third alleged victim was a television worker Brand met in Soho in 2004. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet and orally raping her. The final complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand while he was working for Channel 4 on Big Brother's Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005, the court heard. Brand is alleged to have grabbed her by the face with both hands, pushed her against a wall and kissed her before grabbing her breasts and buttocks. A criminal probe was launched after a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times in September 2023, in which several women accused Brand of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. Press surrounded Brand's car as it arrived on Marylebone Road, as he arrived wearing sunglasses and a navy open-buttoned shirt. He did not speak to reporters as he walked the short distance into the court - which took over two minutes as he moved through photographers attempting to take his picture. In a video previously posted on his X account, Brand said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence. He will appear at the Old Bailey on May 30. Brand, who was born in Essex, rose to fame as a comedian and media personality in the noughties. Through the decade, he became a household name as he presented Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. He also hosted a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008. before he left the role following an on-air prank in which he left a 'lewd' voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter. He now lives in the US with his wife Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, with their two children. More about Russell Brand
The Journal
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Russell Brand's rape and sexual assault case set to be heard in court
The CRIMINAL CASE against comedian and actor Russell Brand is set to be heard in court after he was charged with sexual offences, including rape. Brand was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault, relating to four separate women. A probe was launched into the 49-year-old after he was accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse by several women in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023. It is currently unclear whether Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, but in a video posted on X after he was charged, the comedian said: 'I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I'm incredibly grateful for that.' He was also issued with a court summons. Advertisement In a video referencing the court case posted on social media on Thursday, Brand – who is understood to be living in the US – said he welcomed the opportunity to prove his innocence and was 'going to (his) country right now'. Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London. The 2004 sexual assault charge alleges the actor touched the woman's breasts without her consent. He is also accused of indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 by 'grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet' and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 – both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London. Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, left the role after his on-air prank, now known as Sachsgate, when he left a 'lewd' voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter. He also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties. The TV and film star was married to US pop singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 but is now married to Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, and the pair have two children, Mabel and Peggy.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Russell Brand appears in court for first time to face rape and sexual assault charges
Russell Brand has appeared in court for the first time to face accusations of rape and sexual assault. The comedian and actor appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday after flying back to the UK from the US for the hearing. The 49-year-old was granted bail after speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and that he understood his bail conditions during the short hearing. Brand, wearing an open shirt and jeans and holding his sunglasses behind his back, listened intently to the details of the charges as he sat in the dock. He was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape, as well as two counts of sexual assault. The allegations relate to incidents between 1999 and 2005 and involve four women. A criminal probe was launched after a joint investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches and The Sunday Times in September 2023, in which several women accused Brand of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse. The 49-year-old did not speak to reporters as he walked into court in London. Photographers surrounded Brand's car as it arrived on Marylebone Road, as he arrived wearing sunglasses and a navy open-buttoned shirt. Brand presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008 before he left the role following an on-air prank in which he left a 'lewd' voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter. He also presented on Big Brother spin-off shows Big Brother's Big Mouth and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack in the noughties. He now lives in the US with his wife Laura Gallacher, the sister of presenter Kirsty, with their two children.
