Closure of Russell Brand's Charity for Addiction and Mental Health Support

Stay Free Foundation, chaired by Russell Brand, has been officially removed from the charity register following allegations of historical sexual assault against the actor.

The Charity Commission has announced the closure of the Stay Free Foundation, a charity aimed at supporting individuals with addiction and mental health issues, which was previously chaired by actor and comedian Russell Brand.

The decision to remove the charity from the register of charities comes amidst a series of allegations against Brand from four women who accuse him of sexual assault occurring between 2006 and 2013, during a period when he was prominent in Hollywood.

Brand has denied these allegations, asserting that all of his relationships were consensual.

On September 23, 2023, the Charity Commission was informed that the Stay Free Foundation had ceased operations and should be delisted.

The charity was officially removed from the register in January 2023.

Before its closure, the Stay Free Foundation claimed to focus on aiding individuals in recovery from addiction, addressing mental health issues, and supporting non-profit organizations.

Financial records as of June 2023 indicated that the charity had an income of £126,130 and expenditures of £52,353.

Following an investigative report by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023, several organizations, including Trevi Women & Children’s Charity and the Treasures Foundation, severed ties with Brand and his foundation.

Brand, who has publicly discussed his battle with heroin addiction and his recovery in 2003, had dedicated profits from his Community festival to the Stay Free Foundation.

Reports have emerged indicating that a review by the BBC regarding Brand's conduct noted that several individuals felt unable to raise concerns about him during his tenure with BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 between 2006 and 2008.

In response to the allegations, the Metropolitan Police stated it had received multiple reports of sexual offences from women in London and elsewhere and confirmed that a man in his 40s had been interviewed under caution in relation to these allegations.

Brand has yet to provide a public comment on the recent developments.