"why didn't they say something before"
Woman 1. Was 16 at the time. Brand was 31. Mother was aware of the relationship, and didn't approve but since she was 16, the mother couldn't do anything legally. In 2020 she contacted Brand's literary agent, to report the actor's alleged behaviour. A lawyer acting on Brand's behalf denied it. The agent, Tavistock Wood, have put out a statement tonight CONFIRMING that they were told about the allegation in 2020. 'Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him. Tavistock Wood has terminated all professional ties to Brand.'
Woman 2. Worked with him on Big Brother's Big Mouth. He told her that he was forbidden from having sexual contact with 'anyone working on Big Brother' and asked her to keep her mouth shut. Endemol said they reviewed the contract and the comic did not have such a clause. (I note at this point Rylan had a relationship with a contestant on BB and this was really frowned on and a lot was said about how this was not permitted but Rylan got away with it). She was a runner on the show. He was the star. (Phil Scofield dynamic on power imbalance going on there too.)
Woman 3. Attack happened in the US. She told friends about the attack. He found this out and threatened her with legal action. She never reported it as she was worried about her career. Three sources confirmed to The Times that she had told them about the allegation at the time, and that two other also people knew about it. So a total of five people knew.
Woman 4. Attack again happen in the US. Texts seen by the Times reportedly sent by Brand later that night read:
'I’m sorry. That was crazy and selfish. I hope you can forgive me, I know that you’re a lovely person. X.'
She did not reply to Brand’s text until 10.59am and told Brand that he had 'scared the shit out of me'.
She added: 'When a girl say (sic) NO it means no. Do I have to go and get myself tested?'
Brand replied that he was 'very sorry' and said: 'You don’t need to get tested'.
He promised to 'make this up to you somehow with live (sic) and kindness' and told her he was 'embarrassed by my behaviour.' The Times said that the number used to send the texts has been 'verified by multiple sources'.
She went to a rape treatment centre the same day and went on to have therapy at the clinic for five months, according to documents seen by the Times.
The Times also says that she decided against pressing criminal charges against Brand – but that the Los Angeles Police Department had been alerted to her alleged assault after she attended the Rape Treatment Centre.
So you have:
One very young woman, who DID tell. She was then lawyered by Brand.
One very junior member of staff scared for her career if she reported it in a similar power imbalance to the Schofield saga.
One woman who told five people, and was threatened with legal action by Brand and was scared for her career. This happened outside the UK.
One women who has text messages showing that he behaved badly in someway, records that she attended a rape crisis center on the day of this AND the Los Angeles police were alerted to this.
Why didn't they say something?
It looks from the information that Despatches and The Times are standing by that these women DID tell, but were lawyered, afraid and there seems to be a trail of evidence supporting the fact that SOMETHING happened.
There was also an ex-girl Jordan Martin who said he assaulted her at the Manchester Lowry hotel. This is in print (from 2014) and predates all this.
Whether this legally would stand up in court is another matter, but theres a pattern which seems to have been repeated.
However you cut it, his respect for women isn't what it should be and he has behaved inappropriately on multiple occasions. That alone should be enough to kill his career.